There are those who will say that it's not something that can be taught, only derived from experience. A student often does not know what to look for, or what questions to ask of an experienced doctor - not only as regards a patient's condition, but how to handle the case. Clinicians need to be aware that this information is at least as important as the technical aspects, especially in chronic conditions. Art is necessary because patients do not fall clearly into nicely labeled categories, despite all attempts to class them by psychiatrists, homeopaths, scientists, etc. A doctor needs to be a teacher, scientist, psychiatrist and counselor.
Patients expect a doctor to be competent, confident, compassionate and frank.
We keep trying to get it right, but we never manage to succeed each time. Science prefers to conduct studies in vitro , in order to control the variables. Art in treatment is necessary because life is subject to infinite variation. As we strive to gain greater public acceptance for our profession, let us not seek to progress only as scientists, but as humanists as well.