Changing Cultures within Medicine

The changed culture within medicine appears pervasive and in many ways irreversibly.  Medicine today looks less of a vocation and more of a business opportunity. Recent changes having impact on the practice of medicine are:- 

1.         Prevention is less fashionable than cure. 

2.         Curing a disease is more glamorous than healing an illness. 

3.      The clinical technology divide - Reliance on technology has resulted devaluation of clinical skills. 

4.         Generalists versus specialists approach. 

5.         Profit before service. 

The way forward 

Special social status  accorded to physicians  necessarily  mandates a social commitments  to save the people,  specially  to under privileged  and marginalized.,  Such  obligations are necessary from  individuals  and institutions,  professional  medical societies, regulatory  authorities  and government.   

  

Selections of medical school should also evaluate social consciousness.  A record of such service and commitments to serve vulnerable sector /sections.  In selections for higher medical education, greater weightage should be accorded to those who serve in areas of need. Commercial actions need to be checked