On 02/03/2004 14:06 Adrian Midgley wrote:
> There is a degree of hiding in closed fora, which is in some ways
> understandable, in others a pity, and altogether an illusion.
I can understand people not wanting to talk about personal problems in
"open" fora, but as you say "closed" fora are far from secure.
We all know the rules about not giving identifiable details of patients.
Once that has been given, I don't think we need to worry about this
forum being public. A perennial complaint is that doctors are secretive
and protect their own - an open forum shows GPs talking openly like
everyone else. Some of us are occasionally moved to irony or satire, but
that is surely acceptable too. Any potential worry about GMC disapproval
doesn't take context into account. What somebody writes here with tongue
in cheek would not be judged in the same way as if they said it to a
patient, or in response to a journalist's question.
Deep down we have to like our patients, even if some of them rub us up
the wrong way. Otherwise we are in the wrong career. If I thought that
Tony Copperfield really despised his patients I would no longer find him
funny. Affectionate satire is one thing, like poking fun at an eccentric
member of the family. Complaint about thoughtlessness is also OK.
Genuine hatred of patients is an entirely different utensil of seafood.
The Government is fair game, of course.
It's a bit like talking in a pub. We may be overheard, there may be a
man at the next table noting down everything we say. But for the most
part, few people will be interested in what we say. We are educated,
dedicated and frequently frustrated human beings, talking about matters
of common interest. My friend Fay frequently reminds me that we are also
remarkable, resourceful, kind, giving and vulnerable.
I hope I'm not being cloyingly sentimental if I say that I consider you
all my friends in here.
Except that wanker Hotchkies of course. ;-)
--
Michael Leuty <[log in to unmask]>
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