Doctor, Patient and 21st Century: In the past two centuries doctors have had a dominant role in health care. They examine their patients, diagnose illnesses and prescribe a cure to make them better. The profession of a doctor has been legalized; medical associations make sure that there are no quacks among them. With better methods in medicine doctors have been able to treat their patients more effectively. In many countries around the globe the profession of a doctor is much admired.
They get good pay, have a university degree and save lives as well. This discussion is taking place against the backdrop of a transition from paternalistic medicine, where “doctor knows best”, to patient-oriented care. In many countries, this change encompasses a backlash against the authority of the medical profession as a whole. Although there is a degree of resistance towards addressing non-medical…
