

116. Abraham Verghese Thinks Medicine Can Do Better
5 snips Oct 14, 2023
Abraham Verghese, a physician and best-selling author, shares insights on the vital role of empathy in healthcare. He distinguishes between curing and healing, advocating for more patient interaction over screen time. Verghese reflects on his early life in Ethiopia, navigating identity, and the pivotal moments during the AIDS epidemic that shaped his career. He emphasizes the necessity of maintaining compassion in an increasingly technology-driven medical landscape, using storytelling to bridge gaps in understanding and highlight serious societal issues.
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Family Background and Move to Ethiopia
- Abraham Verghese's parents, both Indian Christians, moved to Ethiopia to teach.
- Emperor Haile Selassie recruited teachers from the Indian Christian community after a state visit.
Disrupted Studies and Orderly Work
- Verghese's medical studies in Ethiopia were interrupted by a military coup, forcing him to relocate to the U.S.
- He worked as an orderly, gaining valuable insights into patient care.
Return to Medical Studies
- Verghese resumed medical studies in India after a period as an orderly, reigniting his passion for medicine.
- This experience mirrored Steve Levitt's renewed appreciation for academia after working in consulting.