Has medical profession become a business or tool to earn money?

Ok Topic is "Has medical profession become a business or tool to earn money? And should a doctor be punished severely for negligence in treating a patient?"

In my opinion there is no doubt that it had become a money earning business for the present parents and generation.Once to become a doctor was really for serving the society.It was very difficult to afford with the expense of becoming a doctor.After becoming a doctor he has to diagnose patients who were mostly without a penny.

But today the whole scenario had changed.Those who have enough cash had many colleges to join and become a doctor.Mostly the sons and daughters of doctors are again becoming doctors.They have enough money by their own practice and realises that the best job for money making is becoming a doctor as there will not be any scarcity of diseases in future.

The second part of the discussion is a good question.I think it is human to have some mistakes.But a doctor should have to be more concious when he treat a patient as the life of person is in doctor's hand.Hence naturally he will care well.But if he do not care the patient in a required serious manner I think the doctor should be given some punishment.A patient comes to doctor beleiving him.So negligence from a doctor is like an insultation as well as violation of rights.So he should be punished especially the new generation doctors.But severe punishment is not necessary.

Yes, I totally agree with the first statement that "Medical Profession has turned as a business tool to make money.There are some professions which are totally service based without any intention of minting money.Teacher profession and Medical profession are among those dedicated service based professions.

But Now a days doctors doesn't even have time to check the patient records. Every patient is dedicated hardly 2-3 minutes.They do so as they will have more time to look to other patients.Gone are the days when medical profession was considered as a service.

My view on second statement.
Patients consider doctors equivalent to god.The doctors are the rescuers who can rescue the patients from their woes and ailments. So,if they show negligence in treating the patients it is a crime.They should be punished.

I think the answer to the first question will be unanimous. The medical profession is most definitely more business oriented these days.

The problem starts at the root level, with the fees for medical education. People end up spending such an enormous amount of money just becoming qualified doctors that the minute they're qualified, they're more worried about repaying their debts and loans than actually curing diseases. Hence the exorbitant fees and unnecessary tests.

Doctors are being punished when they're negligent. The degree of punishment, however, naturally depends on the severity of negligence.

There is nothing wrong in honestly earning from medical profession or that matter from any profession. However, medical is a noble profession and higher degree of ethics and morality is called for. But unfortunately, all medical professionals including doctors, chemists, medical labs, hospital indulge in various malpractices and even outright cheating to earn maximum. The patients are made to stay in hospital longer than required, forced to get tests even when not necessary and that too from favoured labs, to buy medicines from favoured chemists and so on. Even cases of medical treatment continuing after death of patients, stealing of human parts from body, change of babies etc. have been reported.
Needless to say, the medical profession must be cleansed of malpractices and patients especially poor patients give quality treatment at reasonable costs.

I think what I find most upsetting about the medical practice these days is how they refuse to treat you until you give a guarantee of payment. I've also noticed that people with insurance are given far more attention than the rest. (Perhaps more than they even deserve. Another attempt to extort as much money as possible)

Yes, I agree that medical profession is being used as a tool to earn money.Mushrooming nursing homes every here and there are witness to this fact.Poor quality of diagnosis, below par cleanliness, lack of basic facilities, want of sense of duty among the staff, imposition of unwanted pathological tests on patients and ever increasing bills are some of the characteristics which define today's medical profession.
For negligence in treatment, a doctor should be definitely subjected to punishment but it must be remembered that doctors are also human beings and the severity of punishment must vary from case to case. Since this profession demands utmost seriousness, the onus of a doctor is more than those in other professions.

There can't be an iota of doubt that the medical profession which along with other few was considered to be noble in anot- too-distant
past, has ceased to be so and degenerated into convenient tool for the most corrupt section to make a fast buck at the cost and lives of millions of suffering people of this country.Now wags say if a person has contracted any ailment,there are two war fronts opening for him or her.One is the battle against misery and sufferings caused by the ailment or disease itself and the other one is against all kinds sick tricks and stragems of the doctor to bleed financially! Hey friends! It's to time to remember the proverb:"Physicians heal thyself."

Medical profession is a noble profession and is definitely much different from Business. The doctors are professional as entry to the profession requires prescribed qualification and expertise. Unlike Business, Doctor;'s work is personal and cannot be delegated like Business. A doctor is supposed to exercise his skill for the best treatment of patient. He must be absolutely fair. Relation between a doctor and patient is very delicate and is of utmost faith. Unfortunately, medical profession is today not free from corruption, malpractices and undue lure for money.
The Medical council of India regulates the medical profession. It is expected that conduct of doctors is closely monitored. Not to speak of unfair practices, a doctor is supposed to be very careful and not be negligent. Reasonable care is required from doctors. Genuine errors of judgment in treating a patient cannot be ruled out but gross negligence cannot be overlooked. The gross irregularities, malpractices and gross negligence must not go unpunished.

Also many students take up the medical studies as their parents force them to do so.This is surely result in negligence of duty because most of the people can't concentrate in a work which they don't have interest on. They consider all professional degrees a token to sell their children in the market of marriage.

nagalakshmi.karunanidhi wrote:
[quote]Also many students take up the medical studies as their parents force them to do so.This is surely result in negligence of duty because most of the people can't concentrate in a work which they don't have interest on. They consider all professional degrees a token to sell their children in the market of marriage.[/quote]

I agree. The heavy capitation fee and other malpractices in admission to medical college are major cause of ills in medical profession. The parents as well as medical students regard education expenses, capitation fee and other allied expenses as capital cost which must be recovered by hook or crook.

The first remedial step is to free medical education of malpractices and ensure that only capable students are admitted. The education must be free and for potentially good doctors only. After education, all doctors must be required to serve minimum five years in rural area.

Adherence to model code of conduct must be ensured. If any medical person is found indulging in serious malpractices, corrupt activities and guilty of gross negligence, severe action including withdrawal of membership of medical council must be taken.

I think it would be logical and worthwhile to debunk ourselves of ,however tragically,the noble content that this profession used to be looked upon earlier.Even the doctors today are reluctant to accept this tag.I clearly remember going through an article authored by one of our local doctors writing in a widely ciculated Bengali daily and the doctor-turned doctor gave a completely new spin to it.He would go as far as calling it a 'societal conspiracy' to prevent the doctors from gaining financially by giving it a 'noble' badge! Just think of it! But it so happened that the first celebrated and well-documented case of medical negligence case which was bitterly fought at all hierarchies of Indian courts and finally decided at the the portal of our Apex court- Supreme Court was bewteen a doctor and and a group of doctors!

Very nice topic started by kalyani.. :)

No one can totally ignore that medical professionals are misusing their rights...it is not completely true that most of the medical professional are justifying their jobs..though some people are justifying, if their sub-ordinates do some errors are illegal activities..it is going to give bad reputation to the honest person too..However, if ethics are considered a doctor should treat honestly which is not happening now-a-days and is the main reason for deaths of patients..

Previously degrees were awarded on merit basics but now only a simple entrance test with some huge amount of money is deciding the future doctors to be...very pathetic situation indeed the system is completely changing and another fact is due to very less salaries in governement hospital the doctors are losing their ethics and doing this illegal activities. unnecessary treatment, intentionally wrong dignosis,selling of organs of patients etc..are all due to this...money has dominated life...life has no value now-a-days.. :(

Regarding punishment,yes if they have be proper evidence punishment should be given as in other devloped countries like USA..Then atleast fear can change this professionals..

chinmoymukherjee wrote:
[quote]There can't be an iota of doubt that the medical profession which along with other few was considered to be noble in anot- too-distant
past, has ceased to be so and degenerated into convenient tool for the most corrupt section to make a fast buck at the cost and lives of millions of suffering people of this country.Now wags say if a person has contracted any ailment,there are two war fronts opening for him or her.One is the battle against misery and sufferings caused by the ailment or disease itself and the other one is against all kinds sick tricks and stragems of the doctor to bleed financially! Hey friends! It's to time to remember the proverb:"Physicians heal thyself."[/quote]


I completely agree with the statement and also the proverb...but i think this situation is in high in India only..and again greediness and corruption are the main reasons...If we look at US or UK and other foreign countries medical professionals, we can understand the exact meaning of the word DOCTOR...they are highly dedicated to their profession. And the strict rules followed by the countries are the main reasons. Occasionally negligence may happen in extreme conditions due to many factors...but it is not as more as in our country...
:S

What Rajani maintains is absolutely correct.What it points to is the desirability of an efficient regulatory regime with appropriate regulatory powers to lay down norm of behaviour on the part of doctors and strict enforcement of them.It is not that we did not or do not have it.The Medical Council of India only exists in name it's more of a back-scratching council and its ex-Chairman was found to be stinkingly corrupt and now busy battling a CBI case!

RAJESH CHANDRA PANDEY wrote:
[quote]Yes, I agree that medical profession is being used as a tool to earn money.Mushrooming nursing homes every here and there are witness to this fact.Poor quality of diagnosis, below par cleanliness, lack of basic facilities, want of sense of duty among the staff, imposition of unwanted pathological tests on patients and ever increasing bills are some of the characteristics which define today's medical profession.
For negligence in treatment, a doctor should be definitely subjected to punishment but it must be remembered that doctors are also human beings and the severity of punishment must vary from case to case. Since this profession demands utmost seriousness, the onus of a doctor is more than those in other professions.[/quote]

As regards punishment in medical profession, I think there are two types of mistakes- (1) outright corruption or irregularities, cheating etc. that must be seriously viewed and drastic punishment given (2) Negligence and wrong treatment. In this category, honest error of judgment must not be punishable. A doctor is supposed to treat according to best of his skill and judgment. Punishment is warranted only if there is gross negligence of duty. It has to be acknowledged that there are divergent course of action everywhere. A doctor is supposed to take reasonable care depending on his skill and no more. Again, a doctor must know his limitation. If a patient requires specialized skill of another doctor, he must refer and not continue his treatment. Failure to refer to another expert when so required should also be punishable.

An honest mistake,I suppose, is outside the domain of our discussion.And what all we are concerned about the despicable malpractices which some of the members of this prodess resort to in the name of treating patients.It is pertinent to note when the doctors were brought under the perview of Consumer Protection Act,some medical associations and doctors displayed dichotomy of the worst kind by violently reacting to the attempt of the legislature to bring their noble profession at par with potato sellers! That was quite ridiculous to say the least! On the one hand they claim to be representing a noble profession on the other hand some of them indulging in practices which would even put a butcher to shame!A profession is as noble as its members make out of it!The matter reached the court and they eventually lost the argument.It's perfectly true that our medical people are as good as bad as the society makes them to be! It's equally true no profession has managed to remain unscathed in the growing materialistic culture in the world.But what has to be kept in mind the nature of a doctor's job is very different from that of others.Accountability has to be ensured and the guilty has be to meted out the severest of punishment to restore a semblance of respectablity that this profession enjoyed in the yester-years.

chinmoymukherjee wrote:
[quote]An honest mistake,I suppose, is outside the domain of our discussion.And what all we are concerned about the despicable malpractices which some of the members of this prodess resort to in the name of treating patients.It is pertinent to note when the doctors were brought under the perview of Consumer Protection Act,some medical associations and doctors displayed dichotomy of the worst kind by violently reacting to the attempt of the legislature to bring their noble profession at par with potato sellers! That was quite ridiculous to say the least! On the one hand they claim to be representing a noble profession on the other hand some of them indulging in practices which would even put a butcher to shame!A profession is as noble as its members make out of it!The matter reached the court and they eventually lost the argument.It's perfectly true that our medical people are as good as bad as the society makes them to be! It's equally true no profession has managed to remain unscathed in the growing materialistic culture in the world.But what has to be kept in mind the nature of a doctor's job is very different from that of others.Accountability has to be ensured and the guilty has be to meted out the severest of punishment to restore a semblance of respectablity that this profession enjoyed in the yester-years.[/quote]

Chinmoy- I referred to 'honest mistakes' in the context of punitive action against doctors guilty of negligence. Whenever a patient dies after an operation or other treatment, the family and relatives of the patient will blame the doctor even though he might have done his best. While malpractices must be cause of punishment, the doctors cannot be expected to give immunity against any damage or even death. Hence, doctors need protection when a mishap occurs despite reasonable care and proper treatment given to the best of ability of doctor.
I agree with rest of the views.

I think we're all in agreement that the medical profession is no longer the 'noble' profession it used to be. But just to get a dialogue running...

Do you think that imposing harsher punishments would further deteriorate the medical practice? Some form of corrective action is necessary, there is no doubt about that. But would doctors fail to conduct necessary tests because of the fear of the repercussions should the test be inconclusive? Take for example the procedure of filing a police report in the case of certain injuries. Doctors refuse to treat the patient until a police report is filed because, if they do, they could get into trouble with the police. The patient is no doubt the one suffering in all this, but it’s not entirely the doctor’s fault either…


[quote] Hence, doctors need protection when a mishap occurs despite reasonable care and proper treatment given to the best of ability of doctor.[/quote]


Doctors are given protection. All patients (or their next of kin) are made to sign a release form before any major surgery or medical procedure. This form effectively ensures that the doctor is not held liable for anything that might happen during the course of the procedure. It’s only in the case of negligence that the doctor can be held liable.

I agree with what Chinmoy has said.. The regulatory body is not very powerful and its highly corrupted.. I have seen and heard about few medical colleges getting permitted just with under table dealings.. It has become very much a business and a very highly profitable one.

Raja wrote:
[quote]I agree with what Chinmoy has said.. The regulatory body is not very powerful and its highly corrupted.. I have seen and heard about few medical colleges getting permitted just with under table dealings.. It has become very much a business and a very highly profitable one.[/quote]

The major cause of extreme corruption and irregularities in the medical profession is the high cost of education. Parents and students consider this as an investment that they must recover from patients by hook or crook. Education should be free for all eligible candidates. This should ensure that money does not play major role in the profession. Medical care is the basic right of all citizens and the poor must get quality medical treatment.
All doctors should be required to serve in rural area for some period. Presently, the patients suffer a lot owing to unholy nexus between doctors, drug stores, laboratories and hospitals. All these attempt to maximize their income
by fleecing patients. The Government Hospitals are supposed to give free medicines to patients who are required to give only token amount for registration. But the hospitals force them to buy from market and sell the hospital medicines in market. Owing to gross negligence and corruption in Government Hospitals, patients are required to go to private hospitals that are beyond reach of poor. The doctors in Govt. Hospital take more interest in private practice.
It is absolutely necessary to remove the malpractices in the medical profession on a very urgent basis.