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Empathy, the scientific clinical gaze and contemporary practice: a critical reflection.

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Title: Empathy, the scientific clinical gaze and contemporary practice: a critical reflection.
Authors: Halawi L; Faculty of Health Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Skåne County, Sweden., Khalaf A; Faculty of Health Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Skåne County, Sweden atika.khalaf@hkr.se.; Hind Bint Maktoum College of Nursing and Midwifery, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Health, Dubai, UAE.
Source: Medical humanities [Med Humanit] 2026 Aug 20; Vol. 52 (3), pp. 292-295. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Aug 20.
Publication Type: Journal Article; Review
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: BMJ Pub. Group Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 100959585 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1473-4265 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 1468215X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Med Humanit Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Kennebunkport, ME : BMJ Pub. Group, c2000-
MeSH Terms: Empathy* , Humanities* , Delivery of Health Care*, Humans ; Sweden ; Cultural Competency ; Physician-Patient Relations ; Education, Medical ; Science ; Narrative Medicine
Abstract: This review essay critically examines a modern manifestation of the scientific clinical gaze, drawing upon Michel Foucault's foundational concepts. Using a Swedish medical case involving cultural bias and delayed diagnosis, the essay questions the strengths and vulnerabilities of the clinical gaze, highlighting its susceptibility to subjective distortions despite aspirations toward scientific objectivity. It situates this analysis within broader critiques of the sociopolitical entanglement of medicine, emphasising how implicit bias, institutional norms and power structures continue to influence clinical practice. The discussion further integrates recent scholarship from narrative medicine, cultural competence and reflexivity studies to propose an enriched model of clinical engagement. By advocating for the incorporation of empathy, narrative competence and reflexive awareness into clinical training and practice, the essay outlines strategies to mitigate the epistemic violence historically associated with the clinical gaze. These recommendations aim to advance medical humanities scholarship, foster more equitable healthcare delivery and prepare future practitioners for ethically attuned and culturally sensitive patient care. Through this critical reflection, the essay contributes to ongoing debates regarding the rehumanisation of modern medicine.
(© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)
Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Medical humanities; health care education; medical education
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250918 Date Completed: 20260820 Latest Revision: 20260820
Update Code: 20260821
DOI: 10.1136/medhum-2025-013371
PMID: 40967901
Database: MEDLINE
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  Data: Empathy, the scientific clinical gaze and contemporary practice: a critical reflection.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Halawi+L%22">Halawi L</searchLink>; Faculty of Health Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Skåne County, Sweden.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Khalaf+A%22">Khalaf A</searchLink>; Faculty of Health Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Skåne County, Sweden atika.khalaf@hkr.se.; Hind Bint Maktoum College of Nursing and Midwifery, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Health, Dubai, UAE.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22100959585%22">Medical humanities</searchLink> [Med Humanit] 2026 Aug 20; Vol. 52 (3), pp. 292-295. <i>Date of Electronic Publication: </i>2026 Aug 20.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Empathy%22">Empathy*</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Humanities%22">Humanities*</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Delivery+of+Health+Care%22">Delivery of Health Care*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Sweden%22">Sweden</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Cultural+Competency%22">Cultural Competency</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Physician-Patient+Relations%22">Physician-Patient Relations</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Education%2C+Medical%22">Education, Medical</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Science%22">Science</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Narrative+Medicine%22">Narrative Medicine</searchLink>
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  Data: This review essay critically examines a modern manifestation of the scientific clinical gaze, drawing upon Michel Foucault's foundational concepts. Using a Swedish medical case involving cultural bias and delayed diagnosis, the essay questions the strengths and vulnerabilities of the clinical gaze, highlighting its susceptibility to subjective distortions despite aspirations toward scientific objectivity. It situates this analysis within broader critiques of the sociopolitical entanglement of medicine, emphasising how implicit bias, institutional norms and power structures continue to influence clinical practice. The discussion further integrates recent scholarship from narrative medicine, cultural competence and reflexivity studies to propose an enriched model of clinical engagement. By advocating for the incorporation of empathy, narrative competence and reflexive awareness into clinical training and practice, the essay outlines strategies to mitigate the epistemic violence historically associated with the clinical gaze. These recommendations aim to advance medical humanities scholarship, foster more equitable healthcare delivery and prepare future practitioners for ethically attuned and culturally sensitive patient care. Through this critical reflection, the essay contributes to ongoing debates regarding the rehumanisation of modern medicine.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)
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  Data: Competing interests: None declared.
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  Data: <i>Keywords: </i>Medical humanities; health care education; medical education
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              Text: 2026 Aug 20
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