Coming soon: MEDiocre Healthcare

Practising medicine is not simply a matter of jotting down a test or prescription on a piece of paper. Those who believe otherwise fail to grasp the true essence of medicine and the breadth of expertise that physicians possess. Every profession requires a certain level of talent, but when it comes to medicine, it’s not just a matter of acquiring knowledge or skills through training. Practising medicine requires an innate talent that cannot be given or granted to anyone who does not have it. Attempts to give midwives, physiotherapists, naturopaths and others the opportunity to practice medicine will ultimately end in a disaster because practicing medicine is not just a job; it’s a calling, an innate talent that is refined over time. Just as not everyone who holds a lute becomes a skilled lute player or not everyone who holds a microphone becomes a talented singer, not everyone who is able to write a prescription for a test or a drug becomes a doctor. The medical profession requires a unique blend of skills, knowledge and intuition that is not found in everyone who wears a uniform. Read: Dr. Jabir Jassam: Not all roses will bloom: Tales of the polluted time It is noteworthy to state that I am not concerned about our reputation and position as physicians within the community. As physicians, we can be likened to the earth, where rain will always fall, we are ultimately the destination for those in need for real medical care. Although patients may initially seek convenience elsewhere, they will eventually realize that licensed medical doctors offer the right medical care and best expertise. While patients may choose to pursue their medical needs anywhere, they are cognizant of where to locate real care. What is happening nowadays reminds me of the man I worked with decades ago. In the past I worked with a hospital manager in one of the Middle East countries and this person was so convinced of his own abilities that he considered himself the saviour for every problem. He and his partners inherited a fully equipped private hospital, but it lacked patients and needed proper management to thrive. Unfortunately, the manager’s stubbornness and stinginess pushed away anyone with ideas or suggestions that could have helped improve the hospital’s situation. The doctors who had been working at the hospital were forced to leave for other hospitals due to the manager’s mismanagement, leaving the hospital in a suboptimal condition. Despite this, the manager did not make any significant changes. Instead, he would bring in materials such as beds, sheets, light fixtures, etc. from other parts of the hospital to replace defective ones. He allowed people who had no medical experience or background to be in control of and manage the hospital and the emergency department where I worked. The frequent changes and transfers of materials caused a whole wing of the hospital to become completely dark and some rooms were left without beds. After three years, the hospital became like an archaeological site. I personally attempted several times to warn the manager about the danger of his actions but he accused me of being short-sighted and inexperienced. Eventually, the manager and his partners were forced to sell the hospital to another person who entrusted me with its management. When I took over, I realized the extent of the damage that had been done. My attempts to revive the failing hospital was not as successful as I hoped as the facility had deteriorated beyond repair. Following my resignation, I learned that the hospital had been shut down and repurposed as a hotel. Mistakes are not eternal, and attempting to patch up a broken system with lower qualified personnel is akin to putting a band-aid on a wound that requires surgery. It may temporarily alleviate the symptoms, but it will never address the root cause. I have appreciation and high respect for physiotherapists, midwives and other non-physicians when they perform the work they studied and trained for and I don’t intend to diminish their value. But when these service providers are the ones who write the tests and give treatments to patients, they are the ones who truly embody what I call “mediocre healthcare” which is inexpensive and short lived due to its quality. The mediocre healthcare system, which is built upon the foundation of non-physicians, cannot provide the true essence of medicine and the expertise that only physicians possess. This ultimately hinders the development of a healthcare system that truly prioritizes the well-being of patients. I want to ask the policymakers: Would you trust an employee of mediocre healthcare to treat you or one of your family members? I personally don’t. . . . Dr. Jabir Jassam is a family physician in Ottawa.

Coming soon: MEDiocre Healthcare

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