Blog 9: Experience Matters

    Knowledge and wisdom are two words that people often use interchangeably and  have difficulty discriminating, when they are in fact two different words.  Knowledge, facts and data accrued by a person, is contingent on wisdom, the application of knowledge in practical situations.  Although it is possible to gain wisdom through textbooks and orations, the most efficient way of gaining knowledge is through experience.  As a result, no one is born with wisdom, but wisdom is instead acquired over time.  
    The difference between knowledge and wisdom is never more evident than in Dr. Atul Gawande’s encounters with his patients.  As an oncologist, Gawande is very knowledgeable about the various cancers and its accompanying treatments and medication.  However, the challenge that he faces is the manner in which he should convey the various treatments and options to his patients and their family; this is the part where wisdom becomes important. According to ethicists Ezekiel and Linda Emmanuel, there are two types of relationships that doctors have with their patients.  The first is the “paternal relationship” in which the doctor makes all of the decisions for the patients based on their professional opinion, while the second relationship is the “informative relationship” in which the doctor tells the patient the various treatments and their side effects and ultimately leaves the final decision to the patient.  At first, Dr. Gawande admits to being “Dr. Informative,” but later realizes through his encounters with patients that it is not the “most effective or sufficient way.”  Through experience, Dr. Gawande discovers that the best way to convey the various treatments options is to “give the patients information and control, but at the same time guidance.” He realizes that when going over the various treatments with a patient, he must not give he/she unrealistic hope, but at the same time he must not leave the patient feeling defeated and hopeless.  With only knowledge, Gawande is not able to deliver the various plans of attack in an effective manner.  However over time, Gawande’s knowledge of turns into wisdom.  He becomes more adept at handling these situations as he finds he is able to word his sentences and opinions in a more appropriate manner in which he gives them a realistic assessment and offers his guidance/opinion with out being too overpowering.