Medical Ethics?

Hospital is one place where you and me would definitely don't want to bid farewell with a "See you again". The mere mention of it would surely give you a pang. The whiff around it; the sick people; the sober mood and the seriousness makes it eerie and fearful.

Few months ago, when I had to visit my doctor she greeted me with "Hey there, long time no see!" I was happy that she remembers me among hundreds of patients she consults everyday. But at the same time, a twitch and my mind asked "Is she actually asking you to visit the hospital quite often? Does that mean I must be sick quite often?"

I have always been uncomfortable with the idea of visiting hospital even when sick. I always thought they make my condition worse. The pungent odor of the phenol, the prickly injection, the serious look on the nurse's face while measuring your pulse, those bitter tablets; there is no one good reason to feel cheerful about the hospital.

Well, I had to go to the hospital to visit a relative of mine who has had a surgery. Walking in with laptop to the hospital was a bit awkward; the nurses were quick to figure out I was educated bit among the lots there. Being invited with painful faces and medicinal odor was what I was prepared for. As I was chatting with my relative, a nurse came by and placed the medical history report beside his bed for the doctor in visit.

I have a habit of picking up anything that has words and would start reading it. My inquisitive nature quickly grabbed the report and I was turning the pages to read the history. Prior to that; my relative showed me the MRI scan report and other miscellaneous stuffs. I was reading this report which seemed like a neatly and legibly written essay in a examination answer sheet. I was just appreciating the fact how "doctor's" writings have improved and is now readable when a nurse walked to me and said

Chechi, padikkanda. Doctor vazhakku parayum

The nurse requested me not to read the content as the doctor would scold them. I was perplexed. I did not argue with the lady or bother asking her anything further because I realized that it was not the staff's fault. She further went on to say that doctors don't approve even the nurse reading the report. I just smiled back at her and diligently closed the report and kept it aside; which she stealthy removed it from the bed and took it along with her; so that I do not prod again.

Why would the doctor stop anyone from reading the report. My relative mentioned that even he is not allowed to read it. What is so secretive about it that even the patient and his close relatives/guardians are not allowed to read it? Professional ethics? I doubt it. Trust the doctor. Yes we do, but why stop someone capable of reading and understanding a medical report.

Those few lines I could read of that one page summary were not difficult to comprehend at all. I dont believe it is at doctor's discretion. It somehow seems to me that such instructions might have come from the highest level - from management to doctors to nurses to support staff. Be it education organizations, hospitals, charity organization; they all seem to be driven purely for business reasons. It is sad and helpless situations for these support staff to kill their ethics and morality to cooperate with these money-minded sharks.

Exaggerate a sickness, recommend unwanted tests and charge exorbitantly. Another thing I noticed was each tests recommended to my relative was charged 20 times more just because his was a cashless hospitalization and his insurer would take care of it. This seems to be the norm off late. I once visited a clinic which also had a diagnostic lab. The physician was prescribing all kind of tests even for a mere high temperature.  Not all are bad. I have had really good experience in terms of service and hospitality as well. But this business minded (dis)service is becoming a fad.

Someone has rightly come up with a concept in a medical insurance advertisement being aired off late. Better be rich if you want to get sick!