In all other fields we assume that as people work in the field they become more experienced and also get better at their work. Why do we consider that a doctor has to prove himself every year or so although he/she is practicing and actually getting better. Is it because we think that treating patients is detrimental to the brain. Then again how is a theoritical test the best judge to test his/her competence?
People will argue that there are newer drugs being discovered everyday and the treatment regimen keeps on changing everyday- For their kind knowledge- even in USA the FDA does not register more than 1-2 antibiotics per year for all diseases combined. Most of these newer inventions are not available in India till the next 3-4 years and even then are out of reach of the common man. Moreover the art of healing is more about psychology and the trust a doctor generates in his patient and not the type of drug he prescribes.
People will argue that there are newer drugs being discovered everyday and the treatment regimen keeps on changing everyday- For their kind knowledge- even in USA the FDA does not register more than 1-2 antibiotics per year for all diseases combined. Most of these newer inventions are not available in India till the next 3-4 years and even then are out of reach of the common man. Moreover the art of healing is more about psychology and the trust a doctor generates in his patient and not the type of drug he prescribes.
Then the common refrain- we place our lives in their hands. True, but then you also place your lives and more literally in the hands of an airplane pilot or a train dirver or even a cab driver. Doctors are supposed to know everything- sorry they are humans and have normal human brains which can not retain everything. If doctors admit that they do not know about a particular disorder to their patient- they think less of the doctor and might even bad mouth the doctor in the open. Yet what good would it do to a patient if the doctor would lie to them about his knowledge. Perhaps the heavy price a doctor has to pay for being honest may make some of them go on the defensive and not admit their shortcomings. I do not endorse this behaviour on a doctor's part but want to place the blame equally and squarely on patients too.
Some patients would want to know all the options of treatment that a doctor can offer in their condition, yet again forgetting that a doctor's clinic and his practice is quite different from a restaurant. I agree a patient getting operated upon or treated has the right to decide what should and should not be done to him, but demanding it as a right rather than seeking advice is not the way to go. Either we consider a doctor's practice equivalent to a restaurant where you will be given options and you pick the one you think is good for you and therefore let the blame totally be on you if the treatment does not work for you just like an order may not be upto your taste.
Else place your faith in the doctor and let him practice and hold him for his actions.
A change in understanding of a physician's role and practice needs to be made.
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