Being a physician in any culture means having a certain level of competence and the desire to look after the best interests of your patient. Recently I was asked to assist in obtaining care for a 10 year old boy who electrocuted himself after grabbing onto a power-line.
This young boy’s leg had to be amputated and there was concern his arm would require the same procedure as well. After several clicks of the mouse a telephone number for a burn institute was obtained. By this connection, Ukrainian doctors where able to discuss the treatment of this young boy with their American counterparts providing an international consultation.
The main concern for the parents of this young boy was whether or not he was receiving the correct treatment in addition to whether the treatment being prescribed was for financial gain. How difficult to wonder whether you can trust the advise of your physician.
In Biblical times till most recently, people went to the priest or rabbi for teaching regarding health care. There was a sacred trust rooted in the authority of God and mediated through the priests to do the right thing. Medicine is a parable of the gospel, maybe more than any other profession, although separated by the world currently from theology. Therefore, as noted in Hebrews 3:1, My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement.
As physicians let us not break this sacred trust with our patients so they may believe in our advise, providing care that is competent, compassionate, and Christ-like.
