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Since the dawn of
civilization, medicine has been valued
as a moral science. Subsequently, with
the development of culture of medical
practice, it became an art. Although prophylaxis
of malpractice became the art of practice,
malpractice ushered in the law. Today's
medical practice has thus become the art,
the law and a bit of science.
With growing awareness in
the consumers and thinning of the distinction
between negligence and mishap, of late,
situation has become murky. In such a
scenario, whom should we emulate ? Aesculapius.
Aesculapius, the physician was created
in the mind of the ancient Greeks as half-God
and half-man. A medical doctor should
be God like in his ability, knowledge
and demeanour, but human in caring his
patients.
The relationship between
doctor and patient rests on the age-old
universal human needs, and commands a
universal set of ethical responsibilities-honesty,
integrity, trust, compassion and duty.
Rhetoric is not enough.
Let us practice medicine with hope and
conviction, and make it a dignified profession.
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