Dennie Quill, Contributor

Many years ago a well-known Jamaican author, in addressing a group of doctors in Kingston, observed that "Some patients believe that doctors are God, the doctor already knows he is God."

I wondered back then whether the speaker had gone overboard by insulting his hosts. But over time I have come to realise that many doctors have a taste for playing God.

For starters, doctors are now able to facilitate reproduction in women over 50, they can replace many human parts, and I would not be surprised if some of them are harbouring the thought that soon they will be able to manufacture a human being.

There is no doubt that when someone is in pain and agony, the person leaning over his bedside is seen as the one to guide him through the valley of the shadow of death. And by and large doctors do a fantastic job and many adhere to the cornerstone of medical ethics that says the doctor exists to serve the best interest of his patient.

The International Code of Medical Ethics of the World Medical Association states that a doctor must always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and must practise his profession uninfluenced by motives of profit.

But in recent times I have had some interaction with doctors and hospitals, and what I found in the doctors was a kind of indifference towards the patient and lack of empathy and respect.

Standards

Recently, I accompanied a relative to a doctor's office. It had taken three weeks to get this 5 o'clock appointment. There were six other patients in the waiting room and we soon discovered that everyone had been given a 5 o'clock appointment.

At 5.45 p.m. the doctor bounces into the office, nary a word of apology as he looks down the end of his nose at the waiting underclass. It was clear that this doctor did not see his relationship with his patients as one of provider-consumer; instead, one could sense that he expected to be held in awe, like a god. We eventually got to see the doctor at 6.40 p.m.

I have no statistics on the delays experienced by patients but the few persons that I have spoken to confirm that the things which bother them most in the doctor-patient relationship are: delays in getting appointments; waiting in doctors' offices for hours; doctors not discussing possible side effects of the medicines that they prescribe, and the costs associated with diagnosis and treatment.

Doctors are important but they are not gods. The Medical Association of Jamaica has a duty to ensure that their members improve their communication skills, especially since patients are now informing themselves about their illnesses through the Internet and various media.

Maybe some doctors feel that their patients are too well informed, and I have heard of a case where a consultation became almost confrontational because the doctor would not accept the patient's ideas. The patient said he felt undervalued. It was a case where saving face by winning the point was more important than solving the problem.

Ask questions

Doctors are obliged to discuss their patients' condition and treatment, for this is necessary to achieve successful outcomes. So the next time you have an appointment with the doctor be sure to be on time and demand to be seen at that time. It might not work, but if you apply some pressure then the system may change into one where there is mutual respect.

Also, ask questions about the medication prescribed, specifically, what are the possible side effects? Even if the doctor gets annoyed, never leave that office until you have cleared up all your doubts. It is helpful to write down concerns so you don't forget them.

The front office clerks who manage doctors' offices tend to mirror the doctors' behaviour, and they behave as if they are God's assistants.

Have you ever telephoned a doctor's office and try to speak with him? Can you remember the depth of contempt in the voice at the other end? Have you ever tried to get the doctor to write a letter on your behalf?

The staff at doctors' offices tend to have something in common, they all treat patients like they are doing them a favour. They don't get it - if there are no patients they will starve.

The American novelist, Susan Sontag, in writing about her battle with breast cancer, said: "Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick, and sooner or later each one of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place."

Health-care professionals should always remember this.

Feedback may be sent to denniequill@ hotmail.com, or to columns@gleanerjm.com.