Dr. Pauline Chen writes in her New York Times column another lesson in doctor and patient relationship care. This time she writes about the importance of mindfulness in a doctor.

Instead of falling deep into "the zone," Dr. Chen warns doctors to always stay alert and mindful of their surroundings. Awareness, she writes is vital in staying on top of one's game, especially when it comes to patient care.

Patients are often afraid and nervous to be in the hospital and the last thing they need is an automatron for a doctor.

Writes Dr. Chen, "The time pressures and demands that drive this endless multitasking and loss of focus on patients have contributed to high rates of burnout among physicians. Depending on the study, anywhere from one out of every three to more than half of all doctors is suffering from burnout, with potentially devastating clinical implications. Doctors who are burned out are more likely to depersonalize their patients and treat them as objects rather than as individuals suffering from disease. They are less professional, exhibit less empathy and are more prone to making errors. And these physicians are also more likely to become depressed, commit suicide and leave a profession that is already facing severe shortages in specialties like primary care. "

To read the full article, including many of Dr. Chen's anecdotal stories, please click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/health/15chen.html?scp=12&sq=October+15+2009&st=nyt