Physicians today - is it a profession or craft?
Dating back to the era of Hippocrates, who is also known as the father of medicine, a physician's advice was followed without question. Hippocrates, born in 460 B.C, fought with the superstitious beliefs of that time, and observed that fresh air, good diet, cleanliness and most importantly, plenty of rest, helped in fast recovery. Through history, we come to learn that the oath physicians undertake today, before their medical practice, was formulated during that time, reflecting their sincerity and humbleness towards the noble profession. Naturally, therefore, a physician of that era was viewed in a paternalistic manner and the prevailing culture was definitely one of passive and submissive acceptance. (Oath and Law of Hippocrates, 1910)
Through time, there has been a considerable mutation of the image society has towards doctors. There are several reasons that attribute to reason this change. In many ways, the consumer has had no choice but to shut his mouth and be thankful for the crumbs of blessing, good or bad, falling from the table of the all-powerful health care provider. This situation has led to blatant abuses of the doctor-patient relationship.
Relating to an experience by a psychiatrist, David F. Allen, who was called to the Emergency Room to give a psychiatric consult to a Hispanic lady, who had come in with an anxiety attack and couldn't speak English. The on call doctor, unable to communicate, assumed that she had taken an overdose of a drug and passed a nasogastic tube down her throat, and washed her stomach clean. Later in desperation, she told the psychiatrist, that she had had a quarrel with her daughter in law, because of which she felt extremely bad and wanted someone to talk to, but now she felt worse. This is an example of negligence on part of the doctor. (F. Allen, 1976)
The biggest unethical event was the Tuskegee syphilitic study on African-Americans, who were diagnosed with syphilis. Known and effective treatment was withheld from these patients so as to observe the course of disease...
Furthermore, this event did not come into light until much later when many had already died from the disease, whereas the rest suffered from disease related complications. (M. Sade, 2003) More recently, in 2007, a few doctors in Pakistan have been arrested on the suspicion for selling kidneys. The kidney selling business isn't uncommon amongst most third world countries. (Butt, 2004) Pharmaceutical and health insurance company bribery has also added negativity to the doctor image.
These incidents, conducted under supervision of scientists and physicians, have greatly threatened the
public. They symbolize
medical misconduct and reveal disregard for
human rights that take
place in the name of
science. The investigators and therapists have not been mad scientists; rather they were physicians and respected men of science.
Television shows, such as Grey's
anatomy and scrubs have added a new dimension to the
medical profession, which is seen as one with immense glamour and profound drama rather than a vocation full of humility and nobleness.
Moreover, the vast amount of knowledge available online, tempts one to believe that they can self prescribe treatment and perhaps learn surgical procedures through
youtube, and thereby become physicians overnight. This idea, accompanied with increasing expenses of medical consultation, minor surgical procedures and treatment, has complicated many
diseases.
The lack of governmental interventions and funds have led many physicians to concentrate more on documentation and book keeping functions rather than spending time with patients.
Financial barriers of patients, in hospitals where health facilities are available only by the payment of a doctor's fees, are where most doctors face an ethical challenge. Their misdirected frustrations lead them to spend lesser time with patients belonging to lower socioeconomic background. This class of the society, being more illiterate and unaware…
