Human communication: the new essential skill in the Romanian medical system
Gabriela Florea, the only doctor in Romania with a PhD in "Medical Humanities," has issued an important warning regarding the current healthcare system. She argues that modern medicine has become too technical, often treating the patient as a mere machine that needs to be repaired part by part, ignoring the human side of the medical act.
The specialist emphasizes that, currently, a purely biomedical orientation is no longer sufficient to provide complete treatment. Although technical knowledge is vital, the success of a medical act depends increasingly on how the doctor interacts with the person who is suffering.
According to Gabriela Florea, human communication has essentially become a "hard skill" – a necessary and mandatory technical competence. This refers not only to conveying clinical information but to the doctor's ability to listen actively and guide the patient, as well as their family, in an efficient and empathetic manner.
The main objective of this approach is to build a narrative in the doctor-patient relationship. Instead of focusing exclusively on diagnosis and mechanical treatment, doctors are encouraged to develop listening skills, which can significantly improve the well-being of those being cared for.
In conclusion, integrating humanities into medicine represents a necessary paradigm shift for hospitals in Romania. Better communication between medical staff and patients can transform the experience of the medical act, making the healing process more human and less intimidating for those involved.