Importance of Doctors in Society

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Doctors in society. Medical professionalism in a changing world

Before the discovery of modern medicine, life was fleeting for humans. The environment was replete with unseen dangers in the form of disease and medical conditions. Then medical practice changed into an organized profession, and humans experienced a significant improvement in the quality of life. Aided by modern scientific innovation, the boundaries of medical technology extended to unimaginable limits. Nevertheless, even with all these technological innovations, the position of doctors in society hasn't diminished; doctors remain indispensable.

Medicine bridges the gap between science and society. Indeed, the application of scientific knowledge to human health is a crucial aspect of clinical practice. Doctors are one important agent through which that scientific understanding is expressed. But medicine is more than the sum of our knowledge about disease. Medicine concerns the experiences, feelings, and interpretations of human beings in often extraordinary moments of fear, anxiety, and doubt. In this extremely vulnerable position, it is medical professionalism that underpins the trust the public has in doctors. This Working Party was established to define

the nature and role of medical professionalism in modern society. Britain's health system is undergoing enormous change. The entry of multiple health providers, the wish for more equal engagement between patients and professionals, and the ever-greater contribution of science to advances in clinical practice all demand a clear statement of medicine's unifying purpose and doctors' common values. What is medical professionalism and does it matter to patients? Although evidence is lacking that more robust professionalism will

inevitably lead to better health outcomes, patients certainly understand the meaning of

poor professionalism and associate it with poor medical care. The public is

well aware that an absence of professionalism is harmful to their interests. The Working Party's view, based on the evidence it has received, is that medical

professionalism lies at the heart of being a good doctor. The values that

doctors embrace set a standard for what patients expect from their medical practitioners. The practice of medicine is distinguished by

the need for judgement in the face of uncertainty. Doctors take responsibility for these judgements and their consequences. A doctor's up-to-date knowledge and skill provide the explicit scientific and often tacit experiential basis for such judgements. But because so much of medicine's unpredictability calls for wisdom as well as technical ability, doctors are vulnerable to the charge that their decisions are neither transparent nor accountable. In an age where deference is dead and league tables are the norm, doctors must be clearer about what they do, and how and why they do it. We define medical professionalism as a set of values,

Saving LivesIn certain circumstances, a doctor can mean

the difference between life and death. Accident and violent crime victims and soldiers wounded on the battlefield know this because their lives depend on the skills of trauma surgeons. People who suffer critical injuries need a doctor to attend to them quickly because delaying treatment might simply mean death.

Extending LifeDoctors are responsible for increased life

expectancy and improved well-being in society. People who survive diseases such as cancer usually owe their survival to doctors, whose skills and dedication are vital for their cure. Modern medical technology coupled with doctors’ care can give persons diagnosed with terminal illnesses hope of living longer.

Humanitarian WorkDoctors perform humanitarian work in

society. Some advocacy groups on health issues, such as hypertension and cancer, draw membership from the medical profession and help disseminate information about how to avoid so-called lifestyle diseases. Doctors may work as volunteers on missions ranging from providing care to disaster victims to training medical personnel in the developing world.

Controlling Epidemics and Conducting Research.

When disease outbreaks occur, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic. They also check the spread of disease by alerting the public to factors -- such as poor hygiene and risky behaviors -- that spread disease. Doctors also work alongside researchers to find new cures for diseases, running drug tests on consenting patients.

Importance of Doctors in SocietyBefore the discovery of modern medicine, life was fleeting for humans. The environment was replete with

unseen dangers in the form of disease and medical conditions. Then medical practice changed into an organized profession, and humans experienced a significant improvement in the quality of life. Aided by modern scientific innovation, the boundaries of medical technology extended to unimaginable limits. Nevertheless, even with all these technological innovations, the position of doctors in society hasn't diminished; doctors remain indispensable.

Saving LivesIn certain circumstances, a doctor can mean the difference between life &

d e a t h . Accident & violent crime victims & soldiers wounded on

the battlefield know this because their lives depend

on the skills of trauma surgeons. People who suffer critical injuries need a doctor to attend to them quickly because delaying treatment might simply mean death.

Extending LifeDoctors are responsible for

increased life expectancy & improved well-being in society.

People who survive diseases such as cancer usually owe their survival to doctors, whose

skills & dedication are vital for their cure. Modern medical technology coupled with doctors’ care can give persons diagnosed with terminal illnesses hope of living longer.

Humanitarian WorkDoctors perform humanitarian work in

society. Some advocacy groups on health issues, such as hypertension & cancer, draw membership from the medical profession & help disseminate information about how to avoid so-called lifestyle diseases. Doctors may work as volunteers on missions ranging from providing care to disaster victims to training medical personnel in the developing world.

Controlling Epidemics & Conducting Research.

When disease outbreaks occur, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic. They also check the spread of disease by alerting the public to factors -- such as poor

hygiene & risky behaviors -- that spread disease. Doctors also work alongside researchers to find new cures for diseases, running drug tests on consenting patients.When disease outbreaks occur, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic. They also check the spread of disease by alerting the public to factors -- such as poor hygiene & risky behaviors -- that spread disease. Doctors also work alongside researchers to find new cures for diseases, running drug tests on consenting patients. When disease outbreaks occur, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic. They also check the spread of disease by alerting the public to factors -- such as poor hygiene & risky behaviors -- that spread disease. Doctors also work alongside researchers to find new cures for diseases, running drug tests on consenting patients.

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Importance of Doctors in SocietyBefore the discovery of modern medicine, life was fleeting for humans. The environment was replete with

unseen dangers in the form of disease and medical conditions. Then medical practice changed into an organized profession, and humans experienced a significant improvement in the quality of life. Aided by modern scientific innovation, the boundaries of medical technology extended to unimaginable limits. Nevertheless, even with all these technological innovations, the position of doctors in society hasn't diminished; doctors remain indispensable.

Saving LivesIn certain circumstances, a doctor can mean the difference between life &

d e a t h . Accident & violent crime victims & soldiers wounded on

the battlefield know this because their lives depend

on the skills of trauma surgeons. People who suffer critical injuries need a doctor to attend to them quickly because delaying treatment might simply mean death.

Extending LifeDoctors are responsible for

increased life expectancy & improved well-being in society.

People who survive diseases such as cancer usually owe their survival to doctors, whose

skills & dedication are vital for their cure. Modern medical technology coupled with doctors’ care can give persons diagnosed with terminal illnesses hope of living longer.

Humanitarian WorkDoctors perform humanitarian work in

society. Some advocacy groups on health issues, such as hypertension & cancer, draw membership from the medical profession & help disseminate information about how to avoid so-called lifestyle diseases. Doctors may work as volunteers on missions ranging from providing care to disaster victims to training medical personnel in the developing world.

Controlling Epidemics & Conducting Research.

When disease outbreaks occur, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic. They also check the spread of disease by alerting the public to factors -- such as poor

hygiene & risky behaviors -- that spread disease. Doctors also work alongside researchers to find new cures for diseases, running drug tests on consenting patients.When disease outbreaks occur, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic. They also check the spread of disease by alerting the public to factors -- such as poor hygiene & risky behaviors -- that spread disease. Doctors also work alongside researchers to find new cures for diseases, running drug tests on consenting patients. When disease outbreaks occur, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic. They also check the spread of disease by alerting the public to factors -- such as poor hygiene & risky behaviors -- that spread disease. Doctors also work alongside researchers to find new cures for diseases, running drug tests on consenting patients.

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