A Disputable Medical profession
Sukhit Phaosavasdi MD*, Surasak Taneepanichskul MD*, Yuen Tannirandorn MD*, Boonchai Uerpairojkit MD* Chumsak Pruksapong MD**, Aurchart Kanjanapitak MD***
Affiliation : * Member of Thai Medical Association ** Director General of Instiute of Forensic Science *** Secretary General; Thai Medical Association, Member of the Royal College of ENT, Deputy Secretary General of Medical Council
It seems that now people do not want their children to go to medical schools. Some of these people are
medical doctors themselves. It is unknown whether pride and dignity in medical profession is in decline. If the
reason for the decline in sending children to medical school are the tolls of time consuming, financial invest-
ment, and the nature of servicing to please people, it might be acceptable because they are personal choices.
In the past, present, and future, doctors must take into account the patent’s feelings as if it were the
doctor’s. Apart from being knowledgeable, capable, and meeting standard requirements, medical students are
taught to think about patients’ feelings every minute and second. This means that a doctor should do what the
patient or the patient’s relative needs and it must be based on the academic principles. It cannot be anythingelse.
Because traditional patients in the past rarely knew about causes of their sickness and they were also
intended to believe in black magic, traditional belief influenced by folktales and stories. Thus, they thought and
looked up to doctors as “God”. The results of treatments were not as important as the belief and faith in
doctors. They never thought that doctors were actually blood/money suckers, criminals: dangerous and cruel.
At present, education and telecommunication in Thailand is greatly improved. It helps people gain an
access to obtain a better understanding of their health and sickness. Therefore, when their sickness are not
treated properly and satisfactorily, they can question the doctor’s errors. If the case is very severe, it can catch
an attention in public very quickly. The process of interrogating doctors had taken place in the West almost 100
years ago. It has been acceptable but still cannot be concluded. Our society began to adopt this way of
practice without avoiding it. We began to search for right and wrong ways of doing. Especially patients and
media demand doctors to give better service more and more.
The new culture has just started and we adopt this way of practice instantly with legal approval.
Many people in medical profession may not feel comfortable and feel under the pressure. What concerned the
most here is the problem in rural areas where there is a lack of medical personnel: what is the destiny of the
medical service to the people in these areas?
Keywords : Medical profession, Trans cultural milieu
