Medical textbooks never talk about the pain that's caused…
““Medical textbooks never talk about the pain that's caused by anything that doctors do... And many doctors think that the pain is justified "if it's for the patient's good." That is never true. The least we can do, as healers, is everything in our power not to cause pain.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Physicians often cause pain despite claiming it serves patients, revealing a moral conflict.
In simple terms: Doctors cause pain while claiming it's for patients.
Key Takeaway
Heal without causing pain.
Themes
ethics
medicine
compassion
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- clinical practice
- patient communication
- pain management
Key Concepts
patient autonomy
moral responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can clinicians balance necessary intervention with minimizing suffering?
- What systemic changes reduce iatrogenic pain?
A Different Perspective
Pain may be unavoidable in life‑saving procedures.