Dr. Ronald Epstein is a practicing family physician, a professor of family medicine, psychiatry and oncology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry where he also co-directs Mindful Practice programs. His landmark article “Mindful Practice” has revolutionized the way physicians view their work and how it affects patients across the board. Mindfulness is one of the topics of his new book “Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness and Humanity” and it shines a light on how doctors think and how they can provide safe, effective, patient-centered and compassionate care.

Mindfulness has become popular recently as people look for ways to deal with the stresses of everyday life. Webster defines it as “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something” and “a mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” In his first book, Dr. Epstein brings his innovative programs in mindful practice and combines it with clinical stories to give patients a voice. He gives healthcare professionals a guide to refocus their approach to medicine. By using the four foundations of mindfulness which include Attention, Curiosity, Beginner’s Mind and Presence, he concludes that they can make the biggest impact by simply looking inward. He begins by defining Mindfulness and each of these foundations becomes a chapter where he further defines what they are and how they can impact patient care.

Dr. Ronald Epstein learned a valuable lesson as a third-year medical student that brought medical practice into perspective. He learned that focus is one thing and that mindfulness is another. It can mean the difference between just going through the motions and giving a patient the quality healthcare they deserve because it makes them less stressed, more effective and more human. In down to earth language, he shares how mindfulness-based skills benefits everyone from physicians to patients and the healthcare system. With its personal anecdotes and insights into the mind of physicians it reaches a wide audience and makes healthcare easier to navigate.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.