As I grew up, I always believed that doctors are meant to cure illnesses, irrespective of what that illness might be. Well, my view was confined by the fact that I went to doctors only for minor stuff like fever, cold and yada yada. I could very well understand why doctors were respected and were kept in the highest regards. But then, my views changed...
Based on experience, my logical mind started questioning about the distinctness of a doctor. I slowly started realising the fundamental fact that, a human is a human is a human. Given the fact that, any occupation can be practiced, people typically choose to specialise in a skill, mostly to have a career and make money. Doctors are no different. But then, each skill has its own importance factor, as we all know. Doctors are certainly at the top, in the importance factor and that makes them stereotypically "godly". However, they follow a set of procedures that they have studied or recommended. Infact, as a problem gets more and more complicated, the procedures get more and more documented. Contrary to the pre-conceived notions, I found to my surprise that doctors dont come up with innovative techniques to fix a problem. They follow rules and standard techniques and yes, they do commit mistakes in the process. This is not to say that, doctors dont know stuff. Ofcourse they know their stuff. But, it is no different from any other occupation and the illusions of grandeur are just a mirage created by the ignorant mass. As in any other occupation, there are doctors who are good enough, careful enough and are very much cognizant of the fact that they are handling lives and not just a piece of flesh/bone/tissue. Hats off to those doctors. But then, as in any other occupation, it is a rarity as well.
When I go to doctor these days, there are certain things that I keep in mind. I dont assume that the doctors are correct (when did I ever assume anyone was correct..:)). I try to do my diligent work. Web is a great place. I dont assume that the doctors/nurses follow the right sequence for a given problem. I try to question them and ask them why they do what they do. I dont consider them "godly", but rather, trust them on their expertise in performing a given feat with the least complications. In short, I respect doctors but I do not idolize them.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Doctors... As real as it gets...
Posted by Suresh Sankaralingam at 2:17 PM
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6 comments:
Ooh! Tell me about it !
I have met all diff kinds, flavours, types of docs around the globe. The best ones are those who give you the right information, not witholding anything but are also sensitive to your feelings and covince you that nothing is complicated.
Since doctors are treated like gods (in India), they behave like one too. They start believing that they are always right.
Even in US the doctors are easily trusted (May be coz christians have total GOD restrictions :) )
The very reason why doctors are treated like "Gods" has a lot to do with us, consumers. Probably in the yesteryears (even now), most people visiting a practitioner were too ignorant to know what was wrong with them. So assuming this logic "I don't know anything, have no clue what's happening-- hence will trust the person who's 'supposed' to know what's happening."
Result: Trust and more trust passed on for generations. Trust is not wrong mind U, but blindly trusting is!
A lot is to be said about how we treat ,actually revere doctors and the effect it has on their psyche. Knowing what's going on with your body and taking equal responsibility for it is an essential part of wellness, mind & body alike!
Manohar & I have broken that "long standing trust" in one too many occassions in India. The doctors (well for the most part) weren't quite pleased , but hey... someone had to bite the bullet & we just were more than happy to!
Like Mindframes said, empowering the self is reasonably a sure way to salvation (-:
Education and open-mindedness play a big role. I remember how much I admired the surgeon who treated me for an injury here in the US. He gave me all the relevant information and provided me with choices. He asked me to go home, mull over my choices and come back. And I have often found that to be the case. Doctors are willing to have "educated" patients!
I could not help comparing my previous experiences in India, when I have never been privy to information I am entitled to. Often, I find Doctors misuse the trust placed in them for their own financial gain, and that sours my opinion of the hospital and Doctor. Is it their sense of insecurity or just playing with ignorance of the masses?
But yes....now, I do cross-verify and convince myself before trusting a medical opinion blindly, and I have the web to thank for it!
In India, it is not just with the doctors, but people in other occupations too. If you ask them questions, especially ones thats in conflict with what was told, folks take it personally. They probably think of it as an insult. An orthogonal counterpart is that, if you ask questions, people think that they are obliged to know the answer and reply with something, even if they have no clue on what they are talking about....
I resonate with everyones agreement that web could indeed be a "life saver"...
Vert interesting topic!
From times unknown, (well, I actualyy know the time to the accuracy of the day, nevertheless I just wanted to use the expression!)I have always taken a doctor's opinion with a grain of salt.
I believe they have a huge communication problem. The crunch of time is the excuse for not communicating something in sufficient detail! I think that we reserve the right to "consume" their time to get our queries answered. I have also often found that many do not delve on the details of side-effects. Be it short-term or long-term, as the patient I think I deserve to know and they are not forthcoming with answers unless we dare (also care) to ask.
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