[In regards to the post from Dr. Al Masi]
[Dr. A.T. Masi's] letter accurately depicts our views on humanistic philosophy in medicine that both of us have advocated and nurtured from the beginning of our presence in our institution. I had expressed similar views in an editorial "Suffering, science and sabotage" published in 2004. In that paper, I'd discussed the peril of a dualistic approach to disease and illness, emphasizing that psychosocial issues and effective listening are equally important for both "organic" (those with structural changes, such as RA or CAD) and neurochemical-endocrine pathologies, such as fibromyalgia and overlapping central sensitivity syndromes.
I also opined that science alone is not adequate to alleviate human suffering. There's indeed a place for "placebo, plants and prayer" (p. 13 of that paper) as long as they are innocuous. I'd also added that literature (prose and poetry) helps our humanistic understanding of medicine (p.12-13).
Muhammad Yunus, MD
Department of Internal Medicince
