A Doctor's Visit by Anton Chekov (1902): A Review

I have recently taught “A Doctor’s Visit” by Anton Chekhov in my “Literature and Medicine” class. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I had chosen the right short story for our theme. I was looking for medical insights, but instead, I found myself immersed in a philosophical debate about social class. Hello, Chekhov! I’m trying to teach medicine here, not organize a society meeting or start a revolution!

However, after my second reading and some enthusiastic annotating—my margins were practically screaming—I discovered layers that I hadn’t noticed during my first read. It turns out this story is rich with insights into human relationships on social, personal, and professional levels. It demonstrates that even when you think you’re getting a checkup, you might end up receiving a dose of societal commentary.

The plot revolves around a doctor’s visit to the countryside to see the daughter of a factory owner. She is grappling with what was then a trendy diagnosis: chronic illness, accompanied by a side of female nervousness, or neurasthenia. As the doctor enters this scenario, Chekhov provides insights into how doctor-patient dynamics should ideally function—definitely not based on the doctor’s prejudices and biases. He offers a sharp critique of how illnesses, particularly “nervous” ones, are often overlooked due to social factors. He does not shy away from criticizing physicians for their detachment and lack of empathetic engagement with their patients.

In the end, I truly enjoyed teaching this story. It was like discovering an unexpected treasure in a box of old medical supplies. I just wish I had more time to dissect (pun intended) all the rich details. Perhaps next time, I’ll schedule a few extra hours—after all, this is literature, not a quick checkup!