H Spiro, MG McCrea-Curnen, E Peschel, and D St. James; eds. 193 pages. New Haven: Yale Univ Pr; 1996. $25.00, hardcover; $15.00, paperback. ISBN 0-300-05840-3 (hardcover) and 0-300-06670-8 (paperback). Order phone 203-432-0940.
Seventeen papers (including Dr. Spiro's introduction and epilogue) that define empathy, illustrate how it may be acquired, suggest how it can be taught, and show how it may affect practice. The papers range in quality from clear, useful, detailed statements to more personal documents, a few of which represent a kind of cultural posturing. They merit an audience among medical educators in academic centers and residency training programs, but, unfortunately, they will probably be read primarily by the already converted.
Article
