For This Cancer Patient, Accuracy Goes a Long Way

May the wonders of 2008 never cease—I actually read the Science section of today's New York Times today (as opposed to, say, six weeks hence).

My eye naturally fell on "For Cancer Patients, Empathy Goes a Long Way."

Hmm.

Is there anyone for whom empathy does not go a long way?

Are there people out there who prefer to be misunderstood? Or to be treated callously?

My mystification only grew when I read the article.

It's not really about how much empathy helps cancer patients. Instead, it's about how doctors—in particular, oncologists—are less than adept at displaying this trait. The story is based on a study of doctor-patient interactions in which the patients all had advanced cancer.

The headline might more accurately have read "For Cancer Doctors, Empathy Takes Practice."

Or "Empathy Elusive Among Cancer Doctors."

Or, you know, something that conveyed the actual subject of the piece.

Lest you fear, the story wasn't entirely discouraging:

"The good news, [researchers] said, is that most doctors can be taught to respond in more helpful ways."

But let's not set the bar too high:

"Brief, empathetic responses will suffice."