Medicine-Business or Profession?
The study of medicine have spanned thousands of years, since the first signs of civilization. In the past, life was harsh. Poverty was rampant everywhere. Famine, drought and diseases thrived among the first civilizations. Thus, people have started studying medicine, for leisure, interest and ultimately, an aim to save human lives, driven by compassion, commitment and responsibility. Thousands of years have past since then, into the modern world which we live in now. Over these years, civilizations have evolved much, with greater standards of living. Diseases, famine, drought are no longer of any threat to mankind in most countries, as they are greatly reduced and controlled. Thus, medicine is no longer as high in demand as before. Though it is still a profession, it is slowly becoming a business.
What are the reasons that motivate people to study medicine? Most would say it is compassion. True, the main aim of studying medicine, after all, is to save lives. People must have compassion for others less fortunate than themselves. It is a commitment to others that makes studying medicine a prestigious matter. Would that be compassion, or merely a way to gain fame through having a prestigious job? Doctors are paid high salaries, because of the risks and responsibilities involved in their job. In today’s society, a high salary versus a low salary job: which would you choose? As such, while compassion and commitment are the main driving force which motivates people to study medicine, it is gradually being masked by the other enticing aspects of it. People are no longer that committed and compassionate in saving lives, and are more interested in promoting and securing a bright future for themselves instead.
In recent news, a Singaporean doctor had been accused of testing a new product on different human subjects without seriously considering the consequences it might have on them. He had only give them a vague idea of the whole experiment that he was going to perform on them, and had never really gotten any official permission to carry out the tests. Though nothing serious had happened to the human test subjects, it had clearly shown that the doctor had no compassion for them, and is likened to a scientist with his lab rats.
Comparing the past with the present, we can observe that within the last few decades, the prices of medical products have gone up. Medical services and screenings are no longer free like in the past. In hospitals, patients have to pay a large sum of money for the bills and operations. Most of the costs are due to the use of high-tech equipment and the efforts put in for the research. Patients who cannot afford it are thus unable to go for treatment. Where is the passion and commitment when patients are denied the chance for treatment? Money, in a sense, has become the medium for treatments. Even though countries such as Singapore have introduced schemes such as the Medishield and Medisave, some countries such as America have not embraced the idea. Medicine has become a business, in a sense that the money is used to sustain their services, which in the past are free or very cheap.
Medicine is slowly becoming commercialized as it is sold in pharmacies in a bid to earn revenue. Though there are instructions labeled on them, such as what it is effective for, and how should it be taken, they are not monitored closely by doctors, which could lead to over dosage of intake by people unaware of the precautions, or unable to understand what is written on the labels. Medicine is also slowly branching out to different markets, such as hair care centers and slimming centers. Slimming pills and hair treatments are now very popular and are in demand. Advertisements celebrity spokesmen are used to attract customers. Why it is that medicine is becoming more of a product that aids in our physical appearances? More attention should be given dealing with new viruses and bacteria which are more harmful to us instead. With the aid of the mass media, scientists and doctors are able to promote their products and market them at very high prices, due to the time and efforts put into the research. In a sense, doctors and scientists are now working for themselves, instead of for the good of mankind. It is also seen as a way to gain fame, which morally should not be so.
However, the study of medicine can still considered to be a profession, for there are still doctors in the society that are committed to saving lives. Organizations such as the Red Cross Society still give free treatment to third world countries and to people who require help. For example, during the Tsunami incident that happened in December 2004, many people were affected, especially in India, Aceh. The Red Cross Society gave free treatment resources and medicine to them in a bid to control the death rate in India. Thus, there is still compassion in their job. Studying medicine can still be considered as a profession, as the new creations of medicine products helps fight against new types of diseases or viruses after all. Thus, it is beneficial for mankind and is required for human progress. Lastly, a doctor is responsible for his or her actions. Thus, care and caution is required when diagnosing a patient, as a mistake could result in negative consequences. This, in turn, would ensure that doctors are committed in taking care of their patients, with or without compassion.
Through the years, the aim of the study of medicine has been to protect and save lives. It is commitment, compassion, a reverie for life. Even though the study of medicine has greatly been influenced by the mass media, and today’s society and one’s personal goals has changed it to a more business oriented path, the main goals are still there, though diminished. With a respect and compassion for life, however, I believe that we can, and have the ability, to steer the study of medicine back into a profession. felt a little blue at 4:33 AM,
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Don't feel blue... I am sorry if you're sad... that's so sad... *patpat*Name: Melvin
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1 Comments:
i disagree that "Diseases, famine, drought are no longer of any threat to mankind in most countries, as they are greatly reduced and controlled". where's e evidence? diseases, famine and drought are still widespread, besides, they CANNOT be controlled bcos they are natural disasters.
it is also not true that "medicine is no longer as high in demand as before". where's ur evidence?? we depend on medicine very heavily to heal and cure our sicknesses. since when have we became stronger and not need medicine to cure?
"Doctors are paid high salaries" - u could give a figure on that.
"People are no longer that committed and compassionate in saving lives, and are more interested in promoting and securing a bright future for themselves instead." - how can u say this?? this is a poor statement and e example of e Singaporean doctor is a weak example. it is not enough to tear down e fact that majority of e doctors in e world are highly committed and passionate about their profession.
"the prices of medical products have gone up" - evidence?
"Medical services and screenings are no longer free like in the past" - were they free at all in e first place? proof? even so, u failed to consider e reasons why e prices have gone up. this is a poor argument.
ur point about Medisave and Medishield is irrelevant. it does not answer e question.
"medicine is becoming more of a product that aids in our physical appearances" - huh? wad are u talking about? out of point!!
good points: language is good. presence of rebuttal (balance). good try.
areas of improvement: provide better and stronger points. don't give weak arguments that will easily be teared down. cite more examples/evidence and better ones too!
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