Cover picture meant that BMJ had descended to level of tabloid newspapers
BMJ 1998; 316 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.316.7147.1831 (Published 13 June 1998) Cite this as: BMJ 1998;316:1831
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I am writing to express my full agreement with the Editor of this journal, and my full disagreement with J N Johnson.
Medicine has long been viewed as a patriarchal profession that seeks to give the best to patients with little or no regard for their involvement or, indeed, any respect for their intellectual capabilities. Thankfully, this is now changing, albeit slowly, and we - as a profession - should be making every effort possible to encourage participation in clinical processes. The fact that scientific knowledge is increasing faster than most of us can keep up with makes it even more imperative that we read broad-based journals such as the BMJ. If we can make our knowledge available to an even more widespread audience, then that is better still, and should be done.
Additionally, Medicine is about more than just getting the diagnosis correct: it is about helping to improve people's lives, whether by preventing early death, or making the existing quality of life better. To achieve this end, it is necessary to have an understanding of emotions and needs, of how people think, feel and react. As the old Chinese proverb goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words." This issue certainly requires a lot more than that.
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re: Medicine is not just about medicine
If you doubt the rights of the individual to medical information, take note of the following paragragh from an Editorial in the
BMJ vol 314,24May1997 p1496:-
"The centrality of consumers is the main characteristic of the sixth scenario - ' the informed consumer.' This is a form of health care that might operate within any other system. Consumers will use information technology to access
information and control their own health care, consulting professionals
much less often. "
Certainly a significant number of patients referred eventually to me, have done the rounds of the specialists, and come to me, having read documents on the internet. it would appear that this is a reality of Medicine2000+
Allen
agale@medeserv.com.au June14'98
From:-
Dr Allen E Gale
Consultant Physician (Allergy) & Adelaide Aerobiology Laboratory
PO Box 401
47, ORSMOND STREET,
HINDMARSH
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5007
Tel:-
08 8340 1566 office
08 8370 9081 residence
FAX:- 08 8346 9533
Mobile:- 041 781 2786 (Voicemail if unattended)
Competing interests: No competing interests