Abstract

Passionate Medicine is a compelling record of the journeys of five doctors and two veterinary surgeons from conventional medicine to homeopathy.

In search of truth and healing in their profession, the contributors challenge the shortcomings of conventional medical training and methods, in particular the notion that effective clinicians should be objective and emotionally detached. Their insightful autobiographical stories clearly demonstrate the cost of the `dehumanising' principle to the medical profession and argue for a more holistic, caring model that regards self-knowledge, passion and the ability to create successful practitioner-patient relationships as central to the healing process. The contributors make a convincing case for the inherent ability of people to heal themselves and for the changing role of the clinician from expert to facilitator.

This book is a thoughtful and illuminating consideration of the relationship between the medical profession and alternative therapies, and will prove compelling reading for all trainee and practising medical professionals.

`This interesting book looks at the life-stories of five doctors and two veterinary surgeons as they search for more effective ways of healing, beyond conventional medicine. It offers a deep, if not clinical, insight into this miraculous therapy and suggests that breakthroughs in quantum physics are now illuminating how homeopathy actually works.'
Resurgence
`Charla Devereux writes: Five doctors and two veterinary surgeons, all members of the Homeopathic Professionals Teaching Group (HPTC) describes their individual journeys from conventional medicine to homeopathy. One of the threads that connects their experiences is the recognition of the important role that emotions play in health, those of both the patient and physician, as opposed to a detached clinical approach to illness. The relationship between orthodox medicine and alternative therapies is another important issue considered, making this a good read, especially but not exclusively for those in or contemplating a career in medicice.'
The Scientific and Medical Newtwork Review
`Highly readable book, allowing the passion and the individuality of the contributors to shine through'.
The Homeopath

`This book makes a real attempt to explain homeopathy beyond the superficial knowledge most of us have, and it raises interesting questions about ourselves and our own lives. On the one hand it is amazing to hear doctors rue the lack of discussion of feelings. On the other you can't help thinking how extraordinary it is that clinicians studiously avoid the questions of life and death they face every day.

Doctors sceptical of homeopathy may find themselves wondering how such intelligent and articulate people can be proponents. For all doctors this book has the potential to raise searching questions, especially for those who feel they did lose something of themselves when they first entered the dissecting room.'

British Medical Journal