Understanding The Duties Of A Good Doctor - By An Expert
Posted: Saturday, January 02, 2010
by Olufemi Ladeinde
Rencare Limited
"Primum non nocere" is a Latin maxim of uncertain origin which translates "First, do no harm." It was incorporated, in a form, into the Hippocratic Oath for doctors. It enjoins doctors to remember that in the course of carrying out their duties, the potential of causing even more harm than the prevailing condition is ever present. Therefore every intervention must be carefully considered.
First, let it be clear that the aim is not to undermine doctors in any way. In fact, I know of many people who can attest to the care and professionalism of many doctors saving their lives or those of their loved ones. However, we need to occasionally remind some doctors who might have forgotten how important they are and how onerous their duties sometimes are as they guide their patients through this accident-prone journey called life. So, what then are the duties of a good doctor?
Doctors are required both by law and by the ethics of the profession to respect doctor-patient confidentiality. Information received from patients should be used to enhance informed treatment and not for public disclosure except in circumstances where the health and well being of the patient could be compromised by withholding such information or where the doctor is convinced a crime would be perpetrated if the information was not disclosed to the relevant authorities.
An inescapable though difficult part of a doctor s duty is preparing his patients for meeting great events like a dreaded illness or even the ultimate - death. The ability to do this with empathy largely determines the worth of a doctor to his patients when the chips are down.
They should be as honest and open as possible with their patients. Along with this, good doctors must also respect their patient s right to decision making. They may advice patients on the best decisions to make but must then let the patients make a decision they are comfortable with even if the doctor does not agree with it!
A good doctor must also show an absolute respect for human life. To a doctor, a patient s life is sacrosanct and he should do everything to avert all threat to that life. It is therefore the duty of doctors to do all in their power to keep their patients alive and healthy.
Doctors owe themselves and their patients the duty of keeping their skills up to date by embracing new information and technology as well as being abreast of techniques that could add to a patient s quality of life.
Records are vital for future reference; therefore good doctors should always keep impeccable records. This is also important for accountability which is required in situations where questions may arise or facts need to be ascertained both for the patient as well as for the practitioner.
There are many guidelines that show doctors elements of good medical practice. The most notable of these requires doctors to be registered to a local association or professional body that would be responsible in ensuring that they maintain good medical practice. In this provision, the words you must and you should are commonly used in the following ways:
* You must - is used for an overruling duty or principle
* You should - is used when explaining how you will meet the overruling duty. It is also used where the duty will not apply in all circumstances or where there are factors outside the doctor s control that may affect compliance with the guidance
Emphasis in this provision is on doctors being very familiar with all the duties and professional requirements of their job. Failure to follow professional guidelines usually leads to membership to the professional body/association being revoked.
It is expected that a good doctor would take utmost care of his family, assist the community around him and generally live a balanced life because this is important for a proper mind-set and efficiency at work. How many doctors manage to do all three is open to question. The patient expects his doctor to be a well- balanced totally rounded and upright member of the society. What we have seen come through the media about doctors in recent times show us all that they are but human and have the same frailties as the rest of the society they serve.
Assailed by professionalism, dedication and conscience good doctors perform "beyond the call of duty", and that should be commended.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Your article could easily be required reading for doctors and those who are studying to be doctors. Everything these days is to time and dollar based (time is money) that appointments are sometimes rushed. Also, doctors have to be so aware of malpractice in everything they do and every diagnosis. They are human, however, and noble vocational desires at the start of a career may give way to being well known, well paid and overworked. A doctor that does not treat me well or does not give me a chance to discuss something with him, is soon my doctor no longer.
I don't ask a doctor to "perform beyond the call of duty" just to help me when I need it. And if that "help" is to die sso be it.You don't need to ask a doctor to "perform beyond the call of duty". That is something that comes from "within" the doctor. It is why it is said that being a doctor is a calling. You can't come into the profession for status or money. Feeling a need to be a doctor is foundational. That way your patients never become a burden but a source of constant joy and satisfaction even on the occasions when you do lose a patient!
This was a good article, explaining what doctors should be. Unfortunately for the patients, good doctors are hard to find these days. That's why, when you do luck up on one you should try to stay with him for the rest of your life, if possible. So many doctors today focus only on how much money they can make, and have no professional ethics or care for their patients or the honor of their profession.-- Thanks- Ella
Well done, Dr. Ladeinde. I have seen too many doctors who need to read your article and take it to heart.Welcome to SearchWarp.
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