Reflections on Being a Physician
Robert G. Hooper, M.D.
What is a Physician? Does he differ from a Doctor of Medicine? Robert G. Hooper, M.D. believes physicians do. The education, mentoring and Hippocratic Oath are, of course, essential and important. However, to be a true physician, much more is needed and regular recommitments are essential.
Reflections on Being a Physician presents a Physician's view of his career and philosophy of medical care through a series of essays arranged in three parts. The essays in the first section, created over years in active practice, relate to those experiences. They describe dilemmas, responsibilities and medical ethics issues to be dealt with while practicing medicine. The second section expresses the frustrations of working in the business of medicine, a system that controls medical care. The difficulties of the regulations, certifications, controls, doctors' payment systems and practice issues encountered are discussed. In the final section, Dr. Hooper presents the characteristics that in his opinion identifies physicians verses doctors. The importance of the medical education and training, the Hippocratic Oath and the doctor's character in his professional work are noted. Lastly, a modern Hippocratic Oath is presented with a call for all providers to renew their professional oaths each year.
Each doctor travels a different path though out his professional life. Those who choose to be physicians and care for patients, whether by choice or chance, face many obstacles: practical, emotional, ethical, and personal. The demands of the role's responsibilities and of the system's (the business of medicine) requirements will be and must be encountered, endured and worked through. A few of these issues are expressed in these essays.
