Commercial and political interests have overshadowed medicine and doctors’ autonomy has been eroded significantly
Miyamoto Musashi, the Japanese swordsman, philosopher and strategist born in the 16th century, refined a two-sword technique, naming it "NitoIchi Ryu."
This is the teaching of the school founded by this great Samurai. He stresses the correct choice of using the long and short swords. The best use of the short or companion sword is in a confined space or when engaged in hand-tohand combat. The long sword can be used judiciously in all situations.
Using this analogy in the fight against disease, the short or companion sword for the physician is symbolised by the stethoscope and the doctor's clinical skills. The long sword can be compared with costly and state of the art lab investigations. The increasing use of this long sword, with good intentions no doubt, is alienating the patients and escalating the cost of medical care.
Young doctors out of medical schools are fascinated by technology or the long glittery sword. Rightly so, the marvels of modern medicine are often miraculous. However, for majority of human ills and ailments, the short sword, wielded with the art of medicine offers much better outcomes and improves the doctor-patient relationship. It is also cost-effective.
This reality hit me several years ago when the long sword was not very long. As a young doctor in the military posted in a remote field station in the north-east, I would see patients,...
Read Full Story: https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/health/public-health-doctors-losing-out-to-pharma-tech-companies
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