| I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow. I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug. I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery. I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God. I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick. I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure. I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm. If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help. |
My friend, who has been waiting months to see a specialist, months when she has been hurting, afraid, and pinning her hopes on this upcoming visit, got a call today telling her that there had been a cancellation and that she could in fact be seen the next day...She was thrilled! Then in the next breath...the nurse says "The Doctor wants you to know, she has reviewed your file and there isn't anything that she can do for you that isn't being done, so really this is a waste of time."
How....arrogant...how hypocritical!
So, having never laid eyes on my friend, having never spoken to her, examined her, or drawn a single droplet of blood from her, this "healer" knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is nothing to be done? How can someone who has taken an oath to heal so easily turn away someone without even trying to help them? I just don't understand...it makes me angry for my friend, and makes me sad. All of us who deal with chronic pain and illness every day have faced at least one medical "professional" and I do use the term lightly.....who acts like this doctor today. They discount us, minimize us, pigeon hole us and negate us.
My friend was able to give birth naturally and without drugs to three children so when she says this HURTS and she cant function....I believe her, as would any doctor with an ounce of compassion. Its hard enough to hurt every day, all day, but when people who are supposed to be your advocates treat you with such disregard it literally adds insult to injury...
To my friend.....hang in there honey! There are wonderful doctors and nurses out there who do care...we just have to find you one!
