The hermeneutical nature of the clinical encounter: the “patient as a text” approach

Abstract

This article investigates the hermeneutic nature of the clinical encounter, proposing that the physician-patient relationship be understood as a process of textual interpretation. Drawing on the hermeneutic tradition, particularly the theoretical framework of Paul Ricoeur, the study explores the “patient as a text” metaphor, in which the body, symptoms, and the patient’s narrative constitute a meaningful whole to be read and interpreted. Following Daniel (1986) and Leder (1990), we argue that medicine is not merely a pure science, but an interpretive practice that integrates objective data with first-person experiences. The article is organized into five sections: the first two provide a historical overview of modern and contemporary hermeneutics, while the subsequent sections address its application in clinical practice. Ultimately, based on specialized literature, we contend that the concept of “text” integrates diverse clinical dimensions, subjective experience of illness, manifested signs, and physiological processes. By interpreting the “patient as a text”, clinical deliberation aims to provide comprehensive care and promote the restoration of the patient’s health.