Abraham Verghese

Abraham Verghese, a distinguished physician and author, discusses the profound healing potential of spirituality, emphasizing compassion and human connection in medicine. He highlights the duality of human nature and the importance of empathy in healthcare, particularly in the face of societal pain. Verghese also addresses the impact of technology on doctor-patient relationships and advocates for maintaining personal connections. Furthermore, he shares insights on the transformative power of literature and the journey toward authentic spirituality in recovery.

Author and physician Abraham Verghese discusses conveying technical information in fiction and making things feel real without overwhelming the reader. He shares his expertise in conveying the passing of time, discusses verisimilitude, translation, and revision. Verghese also gives a writing homework to explore how descriptions of the physical world can reflect the various moods of characters.

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.

Abraham Verghese, a physician and best-selling author known for novels like Cutting for Stone, shares profound insights on the healing aspect of medicine versus mere curing. He emphasizes the need for doctors to prioritize patient interaction over technology and electronic health records. Verghese reflects on his unique journey from Ethiopia to America, highlighting the importance of empathy in healthcare during the early AIDS epidemic. He also discusses the integration of humanism in medicine and the invaluable role that personal narratives play in fostering change.

Dr. Abraham Verghese and Dr. Vivek Murthy discuss the healing power of writing. They touch on dealing with fear in medicine, Dr. Verghese's unique medical training, his creative writing process, writer's block, and share a poetic moment. The episode dives into their experiences in medicine, navigating uncertainty, personal healing journeys, and the influence of poetry on healing.

Dr. Abraham Verghese shares insights from treating AIDS patients, emphasizing the importance of healing and connecting with patients. Dr. Murthy and Dr. Verghese discuss the humanistic approach in medicine, highlighting the significance of personal rituals and physical exams. They reflect on the challenges of modern healthcare and the need to prioritize the patient-doctor relationship.

Abraham Verghese, a physician and professor at Stanford University, discusses his novel 'The Covenant of Water' which explores a family plagued by drowning deaths. He explores the therapeutic benefits of writing for doctors and how novels help physicians confront mortality and improve patient care through storytelling.

Abraham Verghese, best-selling author and Stanford Professor of Medicine, talks about humanizing healthcare and the value of bedside medicine. They discuss the importance of building relationships in the doctor-patient relationship and the concept of slow medicine. Verghese also shares their experience dealing with AIDS in Tennessee and explores cancel culture, stereotypes, and the placebo effect in healthcare.

Daniel Immerwahr, author of 'How to Hide an Empire,' and Abraham Verghese, author of 'The Covenant of Water,' engage in a captivating dialogue about the hidden complexities of American history and medicine. Immerwahr sheds light on overlooked territories like Puerto Rico and Guam, while Verghese explores themes of cultural understanding in Southern India, including caste struggles and interfaith dynamics. Together, they discuss the enduring impacts of imperialism and the importance of empathy, kindness, and embracing life's uncertainties.

Abraham Verghese, author and physician, shares his inspiring journey from Ethiopia to becoming a writer and doctor. Topics include the power of literature in shaping identity, analyzing medical clues from patients' nails, encountering HIV-infected patients, and finding inspiration and transcendence in writing.