The Art of Medicine

April 7, 2012

PGY 39, Day 282

Some Preliminary and Recurrent Thoughts on The Art of Medicine

To MASTER the Art of Medicine, the Physician must learn to combine the best available science with love of People, Humanity, Life and each Patient in such a way as to do what is best for each and every patient at all times.  To protect these most vulnerable of our population in time of need is to “do no harm” and to “do the right thing” at all times, as a matter of professional obligation.  These fundamental operating principles are based upon long standing Medical traditions, embodied in the ancient “Oath of Hippocrates” and cemented in our minds upon graduation from medical school, at which time most, if not all of us had “taken” that Oath, in one form or another.  These fundamental rules have been passed down from generation to generation, because they work for our Profession, the Doctor and the Patient.  I take that Oath seriously.

 It is said that it takes 10,000 hours to become a MASTER craftsman, and it certainly takes years of experience beyond medical school and post graduate training, to gain Mastery in Medicine.  After this, the MASTER PHYSICIAN should be well prepared to put his or her talents to work for the OPTIMAL benefit of EACH PATIENT BEING SERVED.  Easily said, but not so easily done … and as time goes on, it is harder and harder to SERVE PATIENTS as we are trained and obliged to do.  Why?  Third party interference and the Business of Medicine make it increasingly difficult and sometimes impossible for Physicians to meet Professional Obligations.  In other words, to put it bluntly, The Profession of Medicine, The Art of Medicine, The Practice of Medicine and The Doctor Patient Relationship have all been hijacked by the Business of Medicine to increase profits and/or “cut costs”.  Thus, each Physician’s professional obligation to carry out the Oath is often in conflict with the third party driving forces in the American Medicine Marketplace we know today. 
To be continued ...

Have a great day!
Dr. Mike