May Focus

[摘要] MANY years ago I was told this joke about doctors and patients: a man lies dying in his bedroom, attended by his wife and doctor. His breathing becomes slower, and then seems to stop altogether. The doctor turns to the wife: ‘He's gone’. At which point the man rallies: ‘I'm not gone yet’, to which his wife replies: ‘Shh. Doctor knows best.’ ‘Doctor knows best’ has a wonderfully dated ring to it. It simply is not a phrase heard very often these days. Mike Fitzpatrick (who has taken on the responsibility of articulating unfashionable ideas) argues on page 405 that we need to remind all those keen to overlook the fact that we are experts in clinical medicine, the products of many years education and experience. The charge of paternalism may have led us to collude in devaluing our own expertise.

[学科分类] 卫生学