Ethics (a letter to the physician)

Medicine is a noble profession, every aspect pertaining the practice should be considered as sacred because who can place the value of a soul. Medicine is and should be a calling for all those who choose to get into the field, because it comes with a lot of commitment, long hours of self-sacrifice, it's not only a career but a way of life. So all those who wish to practice must go in whole heartedly otherwise one might get overwhelmed. Finishing the course and practicing is not the main issue, no it's not. The main issue is being able to abide by the moral duty and character change that comes with the territory, yes am talking about ethics.

Ethics are moral principles that govern the practice of medicine. Now let's not get it twisted, legal obligations and moral obligations are two different things. Legal obligations are based on the laws at hand, and I say at hand because laws of the land change depending on who is in power. And moral obligations are based on the immutable, unchangeable law of God, the creator. Now this moral law, can be given many names but the fact still stands that it is imprinted in our conscience, it's what makes one feel bad after doing something that is wrong. Something can be legally right but morally wrong for example a young unmarried couple decides to engage in sexual activities and a pregnancy results. Depending on which country this couple is living in aborting might be legal. So for them it is legal to abort but is it morally right?

As much as we have different characters, temperaments or personalities once you choose to become a physician a role must be taken, a role that requires the adjustment of character in order to be a good physician. A good practitioner should be caring, empathetic , loving etc.

This role is a necessity for the better treatment of patients. Now am not saying that every medical practitioner should be a saint but it should be the aim of every practitioner to try and possess these traits. But why should physicians have these qualities??

When a patient comes to the clinic, they are in pain, in distress, some are embarrassed and have probably been ridiculed by society because of the illness they have and the last thing they need is a rude, impatient and frustrated practitioner. Some practitioners behave as if patients come to the clinic just to waste their time, as if they have more important things to do. My question to such practitioners is what is your "reison de^etre "???, what is the purpose of your existence in that particular field?? Well you might have forgotten this but the main reason for the existence of a physician is the patient because what is a physician without a patient to treat?? You are just another regular Joe with a paper. So patients should be treated with the utmost care, respect and dignity. We should give all our attention to a patient and treat each one as a special case. If as a practitioner, you cannot do that then it's better you join another field because Manny are times that patients die due to the negligence and indifference of practitioners. Just because as a practitioner you did everything that you were supposed to do legally doesn't mean that you did everything that you were supposed to do as a practitioner.

Medicine is a noble profession let us not dishonor it, let's not get into it because of the money, prestige or white coat that comes with it, but let's do it with all our hearts because the value of a soul is too great for the practice to be taken Soo lightly and carelessly.