Please. Not the pedestal.

As I was talking with the patient about his discharge, he said, "It's the doctor's fault." The doctor's fault that he was addicted to opiates? In truth, maybe so, though I refused to agree, preferring to state how we humans need to be responsible for our own bodies, and how he in particular needed to make better personal decisions. But it did make me think about what it is that sets doctors apart from other professions. I guess the most glaring is that they once they finish medical school, they are awarded this title of "doctor" and are subsequently called "doctor" professionally for the rest of their lives. Then we have media teaching about exercise and diet and ads for drugs but all say "Check with your doctor first," as if no one else has a brain in their head. And then you have those crisp white coats that wrap around an air of arrogance. I can see why someone might fall under their spells. While there are some fine and wonderful doctors, there are also some who are unethical and less than fully informed. I totally believe in necessary medical care, but, buyer beware, there are as many medical horror stories as there are saved lives.