iRADiX

Many occasions we have talked about ‘Difficult Patients’, stubborn patients, Harassing Patients, Blackmailing patients etc etc. For a change how about discussion on Professionalism not from patient's perspective but from Doctor’s point of view. Some of the colleagues shared their experience about “withering professionalism”. I am glad that I never faced these situations.

Dr X, a very busy practitioner with a dozens of degrees faithfully following his name. A much sought after Doctor by all the past, present, immediate present and future diagnostic centers. .

Mind you he never speaks to the other doctors over the phone and considers below his stature and dignity.

(Hell with bearded Hippocrates! Hell with decent doctor to doctor relationship and mutual respect!! ).

With great difficulty our friend managed to get an appointment, courtesy the kind Secretary of Dr X, at 5.00pm. Our friend humbly requested for a meager 5 minute appointment any time between 8.00 pm and 10.00pm, since mentally He can be free once he winds up his centre at 7.30 pm. However the request was turned down and he was asked to come at 5.00.pm.So he left the centre telling his staff that he should be back before 6.00pm and not to give appointment to the patients between 5.00pm and 6.00pm.

After going through the wonderful blog of Dr. Alok's "Cut practice" and the intelligent responses , I started wondering , about Medicine, Medical Profession and Professionalism, in context with present day of economics driven and economics controlled crazy world and its dominant living occupants known as Human beings and their 'Next only to God' physicians.

Profession

Webster’s Dictionary says "Profession is an occupational group of people who have learned specialized skills that allows them to serve the public need".

Examples given include Medicine, Law enforcement and Architecture.

Please note the definition. The skills acquired are to be used only for the purpose of serving the public need.

Medical profession

Free Dictionary says "Medical profession is a body of individual who are qualified to practice Medicine"

Now it is clear that anybody taking Medicine as a profession by virtue of definition of 'Profession" automatically allows himself/herself to serve the public need.

And one should remember that one is subject to obligations and values