THE MD BUBBLE OF TRUST

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http://www.redflagsweekly.com/lewis/2003_feb26.html

 

 

February 10, 2003

 

THE MD BUBBLE OF TRUST

 

Too many Americans stuck on Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, and Marcus Welby?

 

By Barbara Lewis

 

Why do people still have so much faith in doctors? Ever wonder about that?

 

This question came to mind when I happened upon the results of a recent Harris

Poll. It found that a whopping 76% of the 1011 people questioned said they felt

doctors had very great prestige!

 

Given all we know these days about the greed and corruption that consumes the

medical industry, the result of the poll is a little unnerving.

 

What is it that props up this bubble of trust when there is so much work to be

done to clean up the image of medicine?

 

The most recent, public example of a big mistake is the case of Mexican-born,

Jésica Santillán, who died at Duke University Hospital last week after being

given a heart and lung transplant with the wrong blood type. The hospital blamed

the tragedy on human error and a lack of safeguards at the hospital. You can bet

that the PR troops will try to win back the hospital’s strong image.

 

A high-profile story of human error, the Santillán case is but one but of many

horror stories we hear about daily in newspapers and on television. Stories that

tell of doctors found in conflict of interest, doctors obviously putting greed

before the well-being of their patients, managed care rewarding physicians who

limit services to their patients, medical researchers jeopardizing patient

safety for financial gain, physicians who are in league with the drug industry.

The list can go on...

 

And still the majority of Americans feel that the profession is highly

prestigious. Is it simple blindness to reality? Or could it be that they are

deeply ingrained with the notion that doctors are mostly great spirits in search

of ways to make us well?

 

Here’s an exercise.

 

When you think about the " Ideal Doctor, " who comes to mind? Is it your own

doctor? Or is it perhaps a physician from a movie, or long-running television

series?

 

What about Dr. Marcus Welby, MD? I remember him pretty well.

 

So will many others recall the compassionate Dr. Welby played by the actor,

Robert Young during the 1970s. A physician beyond reproach, many of us learned

to love and trust the medical profession from this gentle man. No conflicts of

interest here.

 

When Robert Young announced that he himself suffered from alcoholism and

depression, his adoring public would not believe him. He played the trustworthy

doctor that well.

 

Going back to the 60s, we find another wonderful physician, Dr. Kildare, who was

played by actor, Richard Chamberlain. Not only was the young intern dedicated,

trustworthy and smart, he also looked good while he cured his patients.

 

Today’s television shows give us the grittier side of a doctor’s life, but many

of these physicians appear no less noble or worthy of our admiration and trust.

 

What other possible reasons contribute to this willingness to put doctors on a

pedestal?

 

How about blow-hard status-seeking? You know what I mean. Those often wealthy

individuals, who enjoy proclaiming loudly that they have the " best surgeon "

performing their surgery, or that they are traveling to the " most " prestigious

clinic for the annual check-up.

 

Their feelings about doctors are sometimes tied up with keeping up appearances,

not necessarily with the real value of their health care.

 

People who are not as financially fit must make do with a local doctor - who may

or may not be among the " best. " Lacking the heavy clout of big money, these

patients are easily intimidated by a doctor’s arrogance. Easier to hold him/her

in awe than to challenge a defensive attitude. That’s called the " halo effect. "

 

And what about all the ads that show doctors (actors dressed as doctors)

advocating this formula, those services or that drug. Calming, authoritative

music often underscores the crucial trustworthiness of these spokespersons.

 

And then there are the real doctors-turned-correspondents who populate network

television. They, too, give off the aura of being in-the-know on a myriad of

health issues. The latest magic bullet pill! The greatest breakthrough! Time

often proves them to be wrong.

 

It’s a mine-field out there for those of us who are hoping to recognize a good

doctor. We all are sick at one time or another, so the criteria that underlies

our opinions and choices bears some thinking about.

 

Jordan J. Cohen, M.D., former President of the Association of American Medical

Colleges (2002) has his own take on why we trust doctors. He writes;

" Recognizing that people are by nature inherently vulnerable when seeking

medical care, their need to trust their doctor’s good intentions is virtually

instinctive. "

 

Instinct, perhaps - aided by the power of modern image-creating media. And

sometimes the sheer physical effort of keeping abreast of medical knowledge

keeps us from even trying to evaluate a doctor.

 

Easier to calm our jangled nerves with hearsay - " They say she’s a great

doctor! " than to seek the more illusive truth.

 

Jordan Cohen also offered a few good reasons why the trust was no longer

deserved ... " ...medicine is still plagued.... by individuals whose greed,

arrogance, abuse of power, misrepresentation, lack of conscientiousness, or

undisclosed conflicts of interest undermine our professed values. "

 

That about puts it all in perspective for me.

 

 

 

*VISIT BARBARA LEWIS’ OWN WEBSITE, ALL ABOUT SINGERS.COM

 

 

 

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