"From this perspective, the relationship of mutual trust that is established between the doctor and the patient becomes primarily relevant stated Benedict XVI to the surgeons taking part in the audience, on the occasion of their 110th national congress . It is from the perspective "of this relation that, based on mutual trust and the sharing of the realistic goals to be pursued, the therapeutic scheme can be outlined: a scheme added the Pope that can lead to daring life-saving operations or to the decision to settle for the ordinary means that medicine can offer". What it should aim at is a true therapeutic alliance with the patient pointed out Benedict XVI , based on that specific clinical rationality that enables the doctor to find the most appropriate ways to communicate with each patient. Such communication strategy should mainly aim, although respecting the truthfulness of the facts, at supporting hope, which is key to any therapeutic approach. One should always bear in mind that it is precisely these human qualities that, in addition to the professional skills in the strict sense, the patient appreciates in a doctor. He wants to be looked at kindly, not just examined; he wants to be listened to, not just subjected to sophisticated diagnoses; he wants to safely perceive that he is in the mind and in the heart of the doctor who treats him". (continued)
