Doctors,then and now

Doctors were once the most revered segment our society. Family physicians were friends, philosophers and guides to many of us. Some even used to discuss their personal non-medical problems with their doctors. Doctor patient relation was one of mutual trust and respect. Time’s undergone sea-change. A doctor is now like any other professional, although medical profession is not like any other profession.It deals with life. A doctor’s slightest mistake might take away a precious life. But a section of unscrupulous doctors have reduced this noblest of professions to a simple money making business. They fleece patients in all possible ways, take gifts ranging from costly house hold appliances to foreign trips from pharmaceutical companies to prescribe their medicines even if they’re of inferior quality or dearer than other medicines of same composition and efficacy. They also take commissions from diagnostic centers and advise investigations those are not necessary for the patients. They’ve unholy nexus with private hospitals and nursing homes too.Some surgeons in particular make no bones about charging exorbitantly high fees for operations if the patient concerned happens to have medical insurance policy. Hospitals and nursing homes also follow suits. Insurance companies, on the other hand, enhance the rate of premium to make good their ‘loss’. However, in all professions there are bad and good people too. But in medical professions ‘bad’ people can do much more harm than those in other professions. For them doctor patient relation has turned out to be one of distrust and disrespect. Now patients tend to disbelieve even the honest intention of doctors.Nothing can be more unfortunate! Happily, the picture’s is not as gloomy as it appears to be. There’re a good number of honest and dedicated doctors whose motto is to serve people to the best of their ability. Patient’s well-being is their priority.