|
W |
hat
happens when the doctor gets sick? Sick! Can he afford to be sick?
Well who can? A family to support, a practice to serve, depend on him - he
is the doctor. Say doc, my daughter is throwing up ... and I have a headache; my
stomach hurts, yes on and on. What is meant by being sick? Is it only physical, or is it mental or
just stress?
We all have unsettling experiences - financial, emotional, marital, physical,
family and with the constant changes in society the screws turn on many of us -
even doctors. What with disciplinary action, malpractice, and increasing
competition the bad doctors can’t even run and hide anymore; too much
publicity - and the existence of a national “bad doctor” data bank makes
starting over difficult if not impossible.
|
C |
oupled with
the forces of abundant knowledge, technological expertise and higher
expectations among us all, we are led to question our relationships - even our
doctors. And yet in this maze of confusion - this circle of society, who is
the doctor’s doctor? Is he the lawyer or the accountant, maybe
the insurance agent or perhaps even another doctor, a rabbi, priest or even a
spouse or maybe the medical board, medical society, the community, his (her)
children, parents, employees? Who
is the doctor’s doctor? Who does the doctor seek for help
especially when his moral integrity and professional aspiration has been
undermined by the epidemic of malpractice litigation, professional discipline
and even bankruptcy. Is he going to
develop ulcers, chest pains, a nervous breakdown, arthritis, palpitations,
fatigue or depression - that special something waiting out there to do us in?
|
I |
s the doctor’s religious affiliation only
appreciated because of the potential for a large donation? Do outsiders covet
their imagined perception of his Mercedes? Or do they remark, “only you guys
can afford to have more than two kids these days.” Is this the image of a doctor which is being cracked and tarnished? Do
others want what they think the doctors have? What
is happening?
|
I |
f for whatever reason the doctor has been “bashed” something must have gone awry: guilt, cheating, drugs, greed. Even doctors themselves become caught up in this attempt to prove they can rid the world of the “bad doctors”. Indeed someone must be in control so “we can be in control” that is no chiropractors in hospitals, alternatives in medicine must be pure quackery, no naturopaths ...Forget that society demands nutrition experts, exercise and now even comedy. Interestingly no higher virtue exists in American medicine (as noted in the AMA Principles of Medical Ethics) than:
Being
dedicated to provide competent medical service with compassion and respect for
human dignity.
Dealing
honestly with patients and colleagues and striving to expose the physician deficient
in character or competence or who engages in fraud or deception.
Gee, a tough act to follow in the game
of “mightier and more righteous than thou”.
|
A |
ll of us in society want it all ways ... wealthy
trusted doctors as symbols of trust, respect and competence- -no waiting and no hassles.
Instead respect for training,
dedication, trust and caring in the individual is in the balance, and money,
survival and a new map entitled “quality of care” (or is this
another term for cash flow?) becomes the social thrust among the community.
|
H |
ow do others
perceive us, the doctors? The lawyer
says, “Doc, join the real world and that will be $5,000.” The accountant
is surprised we can continue to generate money despite our
lack of business acumen and that will be $5,000. The insurance agent figures if the doctor doesn’t have an established patient load
then he doesn’t operate as a doctor’s office, but as a “walk-in” and the
rates should be higher $10,000+. The civic
club support center says, we
don’t know if you are guilty or not, and don’t know what to do or say so
we’ll do or say nothing, thank you very much. The other doctor says, “I love you,” but I’ll screw you as soon as
I get the chance. The synagogue Board of
Directors concur that before confirming an application to the congregation a
“credit check” must be done with any previous religious affiliation, and the
rabbi calls on the sick in the
hospital dying but ignores the issue of social punishment to a congregant.
The wife says, “he doesn’t
love me and he can’t support me,” I think I’ll sign out.” The administrator
sees his effort as being worth more than he was authorized to be paid and
makes the appropriate authorization to himself for the difference. The Medical Board thanks the medical professions for volunteering to
help “bad doctors” and it’s representative apparently hassled by the
workload are part of the process of misinformation and incomplete information
processing. No matter that probation costs what a family of four could live on
for a year (paid personally by the doctor). The employed in-laws see a job which supports the lifestyle to which they have
become accustomed, no matter the doctor hasn’t been paid for three or four
months and his wife says not enough money to buy food for the children. The patients
see the doctor as always available and used to being at their beck and call.
|
S |
o when the plug is pulled and the formal dart is
thrown, legal cameras begin to roll and “business is business.” The
notoriety may lead to
malpractice insurers not willing to insure, patients backing away, friends
questioning, groups rejecting and banks in this gobbledy bank environment
wanting all their money back.
|
N |
ow only a
belief holds me together ... Coupled with time, a belief in God and trust in
healing ... Trying to undue
the inflammation of time and the injuries of the past, building on an innate
sense of control, making one decision after another based on atonement, humility
and a sense of moral order, neutralizing the chronic longstanding accumulated
damage.
Interesting, isn’t this the development of the ten commandments, the belief in
God, having no idols, honoring the sabbath, our parents, not stealing, nor
killing, honoring one’s wife, having a sense of values and moral integrity,
a belief in the strengthening of one’s individual beliefs. Physician
heal thyself.
Eh,…whats up doc?..