Ethics Governance
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| Article - Abstract. To view full article click on the article title. | |
eMJA: Reclaiming the lost meanings of medicine Reclaiming the lost meanings of medicine Zeev E Neuwirth MJA 2002; 176 (2): 77-79 We must re-create the system so that it recognises, rewards, reinforces and reimburses humanistic standards of medical care. For some time, I have taught communication and relational skills to medical students and physicians-in-training in an internal medicine residency program in the United States. What became apparent to me early on was that the humanistic, relationship-centred attitudes and behaviours being fostered in the classroom were not always finding their way into the clinic or onto the hospital floors. Sadly enough, this observation is supported by studies on patient–physician communication.1,2 In discussing this phenomenon with my students and colleagues, a common response emerged. They believe the relational behaviours taught in the classroom are not wholly credible in the “real world” of medical practice. Empathic attitudes and behaviours make little sense in terms of survival in residency training or success in practice. It seems as if these compassionate behaviours are being extinguished by a lack of incentive or reward in the system. Valued and rewarded instead are academic acumen, technical knowledge and skill, business savvy, and financial success. To better understand this situation, I began to study the “real world” of medicine more intently. Based on this examination, it is my impression that the fundamental problem in the current healthcare system is a lack of meaning. For the purpose of this article, “meaning” will be defined as the underlying beliefs, guiding principles, and defining philosophies that make up the professional ethic of medicine. What follows are my observations and thoughts, as well as a brief outline of my recommendations. Full Article: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/176_02_210102/neu10424_fm.html |
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2006 Ethics-Governance.com |
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