Arguments Surrounding Physician Authority In Medical Sociology

He explains that “we don’t apply it because we don’t know how” (Page). Readers question whether doctors like Page should actively pursue social factors that influence health care delivery and

The medical field in relation to varied cultural beliefs and traditions is something that is important to many, yet rarely talked about by almost all individuals. In other words, the cultural clashes created in medicalization is under looked by a multitude individuals. This is because many do not experience the hardships first hand. For that reason, the thought of difficulties within treatments of health issues or illnesses does not cross some individual’s minds. Nonetheless, each group of people is unique, in addition to, how they perceive the medical world.

One of the most fundamental trust relationships is between a patient and their doctor. Physicians have supposedly earned their trustworthy title because of their extended education and desire to help others. However, this perception is being shattered by physicians violating patients’ trust by not providing all the information needed for making a responsible decision for a person’s health and performing unimaginable procedures. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” provides multiple examples of the unethical practice of doctors. When scientists do not recognize their subjects as human beings and their relationship results in an unbalanced power dynamic, their advantageous position often leads to the unethical treatments of subjects, especially

Byrd and Clayton note, “A virtually universal assumption of black inferiority at the social, religious, and scientific levels also served to rationalize, legitimize and intensify medical participation in…the slave system.” (Byrd 185) This provided the justification for medical professionals to engage in racism towards their patients and their justification for not promoting African American medical education. Their underrepresentation in the medical profession remained fairly constant at two percent for most of the 20th century. (Byrd 205)

Eric Dishman’s Ted talk, “Healthcare Should be a Team Sport”, shares how today’s health care needs to conform and revolutionized to fit in today’s technological, and widespread society. A patient told him to take control of his health, and not let the doctors take control of him. Dishman goes into detail how the healthcare system is a “flawed expensive system that is set up in the wrong way” (2:07). The American health system is dependent on clinics and the occupants residing within, how specialists are necessary in the healthcare system to look at specific parts of us, and having passive patients that would follow the orders of a doctor, that might satisfy the appropriate issue at hand, and satisfying the individual patients’ needs.

Most physicians in the surveys believed that managed care prevent them from using their ability to put the patient's interest first and to avoid conflicts of interest with their patients. According to the survey, "forty-nine indicated negative effects when respecting their patients' autonomy. These finding, along with the concerned expressed above, that under managed care cost cutting took top priority over the quality of patient care and as a result trouble conflicted in the interest for physicians and patient care (Feldman, Novack, & Gracely,

Social Determinants of Health: In “The Black Man in a White Coat” by Damon Tweedy, the medical student and then practicing physician details his personal experiences concerning race and medicine. From the beginning of the novel, I noticed the similarities between Tweedy’s lectures to those of our own in PA school. Each lecture begins or ends with the common topic of distribution regarding age, sex, and race. The only commonality being “More common among black people” (Tweedy pg. 12).

Being a physician teacher sharpens my clinical skills, knowledge of cutting-edge treatment modalities, and practical educational approaches to enhance quality improvement. I participated in several externships and rotations throughout this time, experiencing the spectrum of medical issues: acute, chronic, and wellness care, building on my critical judgment to perform excellent assessments and proper diagnoses. As a passionate educator, I lobbied Congress to pass the Resident Physician Reduction Act of 2021. Over 220 congressional offices have been contacted; since then, 130 Senators and House Reps have become cosponsors. Through this work, I have become familiar with data surrounding health care disparities in rural and underserved America.

When there is a health problem in society, someone usually asks, “Have you seen a doctor? Doctors have the most clinical responsibility to provide comfort and care for patients. In addition, doctors are the last defense to protect someone from passing away. While doctors create profound changes in individuals lives, there are many healthcare problems linked to social, class, and racial inequality. I have witnessed this through my involvement in research and the personal interactions I have had with patients at my job.

For myself, reading and learning that medical history consists of as many advancements as setbacks helped me to enhance my understanding of the importance that historical awareness has when viewing health and health care. When viewing health, there is no easy answer on what is right and wrong because, as historical evidence has shown, many factors such as society’s beliefs and morals contribute to how people decide what is acceptable and right. Historical awareness also analyzes power structures throughout the history of health. The group of people who reside at the top of power structures get to make the decisions of what is deemed acceptable and right. This can be good if their judgment can be void of bias, but more often than not, there will be a bias since everyone has their individual moral compass of what is right and wrong.

Historically discrimination against minority groups has been a reoccurring problem in the U.S. In 1857 the U.S. Supreme Court denied citizenship and basic rights to African Americans (Civil rights, 2015). Over time, through many legal and legislative acts African Americans were slowly granted full rights. Today, the issue of unconscious racial bias among doctors is prevalent in America. These physicians tend to demonstrate dominate conversations with African Americans during visits, pay less attention to the patients emotional and social needs and make the patient feel less involved in decision making (medical news today, 2012).

Within this film, they illustrate many problems with the current medical system, mostly to do with rules and regulations that restrict patient care. What the film lacks is an actual analysis of why these problems deprive patients of better care and, also, solutions to these problems. One of the most prevalent problems throughout the film, that stuck out to me, was the amount of

There are many levels authority in the hospital, which models status hierarchy. Doctors and nurses are ultimately the ones that all the patients

They must ensure that they are providing adequate services to patients and at the same time ensuring that insurance companies are getting paid (Saint Joseph’s University, 2011, Para 6). Along with that they must secure that they are getting paid. Furthermore, physician moral and ethics are challenged as well; Thus, causing them to rethink how they take on their responsibilities as a medical care provider by trying to keep patients best interest, insurance companies interest and their own interests. This conflict with trying to meet the needs of several different stakeholders causes strain on the physician because they must walk fine line to please each. While trying to please a specific stakeholder another holder could be compromised.

It is very clear to most that Grey ’s Anatomy is an inaccurate depiction of medicine and the healthcare industry. Though heavily dramatized and ‘doctored’, there have been moments of learning, especially with this ethical issue.