Medical profession and ethics
1. Adequate knowledge and the humility of admitting the lack of it.
2. Understanding the emotional underpinning of even the most mundane of the symptoms.
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4. Understanding the patient's (and family's) sensitivity.
Adequate knowledge is a rather relative term, the function of which depends on multiple variables. This, in fact, is less important than the humility of admitting the lack of it, thus paving the way for a referral process. This process of timely referral can bring the necessary knowledge and expertise thus minimising the ugly consequences of lack of knowledge.
Every patient has a unique story to tell. Physical disease process is the product of a large number of other non-corporeal processes. A physician must understand those other processes; otherwise lots of illness shall remain un-addressed. Lending an empathetic ear is the first step towards such endeavour.
As eluded above, the sickly (patient) is in a strategically weaker position. His (and family's) sensitivities and privacy and every other issue must be addressed in a very appropriate manner.
These four factors are the building blocks of establishing a healthy professional relationship that brings us to the issue of DELIVERY OF CARE, which by far is the least complicated issue. Standard of care in a given community depends on multiple variables including availability of medical expertise and ancillary support, both of which are not in abundance in Bangladesh. And this brings us to the issue of "CENTRIFUGAL MEDICAL TREATMENT".
I cannot but agree that appropriate medical care for any kind of ailment is an inalienable right of a citizen. In an open market democracy, market force is the principal denominator of how and when and where the care shall be rendered.
The physicians, contrary to some voices, should never oppose the legitimate right of an ailing citizen to seek treatment of his desire. Physicians, however, can raise the awareness that certain procedures, indeed, can be done well in Bangladesh.
Physicians should learn humility, learn to take time, and show appropriate empathy and respect for the patient; after all a patient is still the best teacher for an astute physician.