In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge we'll take the pulse of modern medicine, with a check-up on HMO's and why we love to hate them. Also this hour, Larry Dossey says it's time for medicine to tap into the power of prayer and dreams. And Abraham Verghese, the doctor and writer with an eye for the telling detail.

Larry Dossey, M.D. is the author of the best-selling "Healing Words" and "Reinventing Medicine: Beyond Mind- Body to a New Era of Healing." He tells Steve Paulson why medicine needs to recognize the power of prayer and dreams. Also, Rudolph Bell is the author of "How to Do It: Guides to Good Living for Renaissance Italians." He tells Jim Fleming what people thought they should do to guarantee healthy offspring of the right sex, and says that much of their advice still makes sense.

Lisa Roney, author of "Sweet Invisible Body: Reflections on a Life with Diabetes" tells Steve Paulson that she was diagnosed at age twelve. She's been carefully monitoring her diet, exercising and injecting herself with insulin ever since. She says the most important thing is keeping herself in balance. Also, Abraham Verghese tells Jim Fleming that both writers and doctors need a sharp eye for detail, and explains the difference between healing and curing. The author of two books ("My Own Country" and "The Tennis Player,") Verghese has contributed an essay to the anthology "The Eleventh Draft: Craft and the Writing Life," edited by Frank Conroy.

Distribution dates:

• week of 12/05/99 - hour 1