Medhaps

Analysis by Marc

If we could have a counter mantra, it would be: “Don’t Do It”—with perhaps an upside down swoosh. Being a doctor is not something to be taken lightly. Not only are high ethical standards required, but extensive skill crucial. After all, it is human life we are talking about. That’s why the training to be a doctor is long and tedious.

The first two years deal with intense study on subjects such as anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, and the likes. And generally, the last two years consist of clinical rotations where the student follows like an apprentice to various fields including surgery, internal medicine, and pediatrics. After medical school, most continue to residency to specialize even further. These additional residency training can be as long as 6-7 years depending on the specialty.

But, one might argue (and Dr. Jackson probably thought), if the task at hand requires a limited skill set, why is it wrong to train on the job? After all, many career positions can be trained on the job. For example, over 95% of patients that come in for back pain will be from back spasms. So off they go to a chiropractor with some muscle relaxant. That means over 95% of the time, the correct treatment would have been rendered. And that means 95% of the time, the patient would be extremely happy—referring more and more patients to him. The 5% can, well, “go away.”

With that said, an ethical doctor, having care for all patients, from the easy cases to those that are so obscure that requires sleuthing like Dr. House (on the popular TV series) would do, would not accept having that 5% that get mistreated. So for the sake of the 5%, don’t cut corners, just don’t do it.

Response by Florence

You make a good point, Marc, but we can’t forget t the constant shortage of doctors and other health workers in this country. The shortage is especially felt in the family practice field. From reading the case files, it sounded like these two unlicensed doctors knew what they were talking about, and we don’t know if their direct actions produced harm to the patients.

I would venture to guess that they were likely doctors educated south of the border in a Latin American country, seeing as “Dr. Torres” performed the entire exam in Spanish. I would also guess that Dr. Jackson catered to a less wealthy crowd, and this was how he could keep costs down. What is a poor family to do? To them, as long as they get well, it probably doesn’t matter who helps them. While I definitely do not support unlicensed doctors practicing medicine (which is a VERY dangerous activity), I think it does remind us that steps need to be taken in order to meet the ever increasing demand of lower-cost health workers.

Response by Lyssa

I think something Marc touched on is especially important: as patients, we must protect ourselves. Too often, we’re afraid to ask questions, either because we don’t want to sound stupid, impose ourselves, or offend the doctor. However, it’s much less desirable to end up as a Medhaps case. I know I’ve been in breach of my own advice sometimes when I’m in a hospital setting and many doctors come and go. That is not wise.

So, pose questions and research your doctors. Ask for the doctor’s business card. At the very least, check the state medical boards for licensing. This way you can check to make sure the person you are seeing is really who they say they are. This is something that’s repeated over and over again by people (like I just did!), so don’t forget!