The Psychodynamics of Medical Practice

The Psychodynamics of Medical Practice: Unconscious Factors in Patient Care delves into the profound yet often overlooked influence of unconscious psychological processes in medical practice. This thought-provoking volume examines how physicians’ personal emotions, unconscious defenses, and countertransference impact patient care, decision-making, and professional relationships. Drawing from psychoanalytic concepts, the book highlights the interplay between the doctor’s own psychological framework and the clinical environment, shedding light on the hidden dimensions of medical interactions.

By exploring concepts such as projection, externalization, and projective identification, the book provides a nuanced understanding of how physicians unconsciously manage anxiety, navigate difficult patient encounters, and interpret clinical realities. Through real-life case studies and interdisciplinary insights, it underscores the necessity of self-awareness in medical education and practice. Advocating for a more reflective approach to medicine, the book argues that recognizing and addressing unconscious biases can enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve doctor-patient relationships, and ultimately lead to more compassionate and effective healthcare.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1985.