Between knowledge and hope-the relationship between the patient and the doctor.

Abstract

Background: The patient-doctor relationship significantly influences treatment effectiveness. This relationship unfolds amid clinical complexity and emotional vulnerability. By framing the initial consultation as the beginning of Prof. Józef Tischner's dramatic arc, this study suggests that this encounter, where knowledge meets hope, embodies the classical Greek ideal of Kalos kagathos, understood here as the ethical and aesthetic unity of goodness and beauty, also referred to as moral beauty. Apathy emerges as the primary barrier to realizing these ethical ideals in clinical practice, diminishing the profession's value by negating the intrinsic beauty and moral significance of aiding those in distress. This ethical vision is herein interpreted through a Christian lens, where faith and spirituality, defined as the personal search for transcendent meaning and moral purpose, provide a deeper moral grounding for both empathy and vocation.

Methods: To examine both the philosophical and practical aspects of the patient-doctor relationship, we conducted a survey of 173 participants among patients, medical students, and doctors. The survey assessed perceptions of the therapeutic alliance, the role of empathy, and the impact of apathy. Statistical analysis identified key patterns and associations.

Results: The findings indicate that while doctors play a crucial role in shaping the therapeutic alliance, patients' engagement and attitudes are equally important. Apathy was identified as a major challenge, weakening the ethical foundation of medical practice and diminishing the depth of doctor-patient interactions. Participants emphasized the need for mutual effort in fostering a meaningful dialogue throughout the treatment process. Notably, participants who valued religion and spirituality, defined here as the personal orientation toward meaning, moral depth, and potentially transcendent connection, expressed a greater emphasis on empathy, shared moral responsibility, and the integration of spiritual care.

Conclusions: The formation of a strong therapeutic alliance requires shared responsibility between doctor and patient. Addressing apathy and enhancing engagement on both sides may strengthen this bond, improving the quality of care and patient outcomes. By drawing on Christian values and the spiritual dimension of care, this study highlights how faith can enrich the humanistic core of medicine.