[Poul Bjerre's practice of psychiatry]

Poul Bjerre (1876-1964) was one of Swedens most famous psychiatrists and authors in the first part of the 20th century. He had an extensive medical practice. This study is mainly based on letters from patients to Bjerre. These letters are now kept in The Royal Library, Stockholm. The aim of the study was to find out what made Poul Bjerre a successful practitioner. The letters was studied with a phenomenological-hermeneutical approach. The results highlights the importance and need for the physician to be human, to talk with and listen to the patient in a holistic manner, to use words with great care and to touch the patient. This led to understanding, and the physician was regarded a friend and someone who one could tell anything. Bjerre acted in a time of paternalism, but used this to release autonomy for the patient, so that he could be liberated. Follow up was very important, mainly through letters.