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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Blind Endotracheal Intubation in Neonatal Rabbits

Blind Endotracheal Intubation in Neonatal Rabbits

Published on: February 26, 2021

On Blindness and Blind Spots.

Ruth Kannai¹, Aya Alon²

¹Department of Family Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel rkannai@gmail.com.

Annals of Family Medicine

|July 11, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Physicians explored a patient's severe conversion disorder, using "blindness" as a metaphor for her distress. Understanding patient struggles requires acknowledging potential physician "blind spots" in grasping complex inner conflicts.

Keywords:

blindness conversion disorder mind-body connection trauma

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Psychosomatic Medicine
Medical Ethics

Background:

Conversion disorder presents complex psychosomatic symptoms.
Physician-patient relationships are crucial for understanding patient distress.
Metaphoric expressions, such as "blindness," can signify underlying psychological agony.

Purpose of the Study:

To reflect on the evolving physician-patient relationship in managing severe conversion disorder.
To explore the metaphorical significance of symptoms in expressing patient suffering.
To examine potential physician "blind spots" in comprehending patients' inner struggles.

Main Methods:

A narrative reflection on a clinical case involving a family physician and a patient with conversion disorder.
Analysis of the patient's symptoms, particularly "blindness," as metaphorical expressions of distress.
Introspective examination of the physician's role and potential limitations in understanding the patient's experience.

Main Results:

The patient's "blindness" served as a powerful metaphor for her profound psychological agony.
The physician-patient relationship evolved through attempts to interpret the symbolic meaning of the symptoms.
The case highlighted the potential for clinicians to develop

Conclusions:

Severe conversion disorder requires a nuanced understanding of patients' metaphorical expressions of distress.
Physicians must be aware of their own potential "blind spots" to fully grasp patients' complex inner struggles.
Recognizing and addressing these blind spots is essential for effective clinical practice and therapeutic alliance.