Apathy, empathy, physicians, and Chekhov.

Abstract

Healing depends on a caring, involved physician. In his story "Ward Number Six," Anton Chekhov illustrated how patients suffer when physicians become apathetic. Reading this story may inspire physicians to resist apathy and assume greater responsibility for the social conditions that impact on their patients' well-being. It may also stimulate physicians' imagination in such a way as to improve their ability to empathize with their patients. Finally, the act of reading itself--particularly reading great literature such as "Ward Number Six," can help rejuvenate those physicians who struggle with their own apathy.