Garth Rattray

WE CAN only watch and wait as the drama surrounding the case of the doctor accused of sexually assaulting a Victoria Jubilee Hospital patient continues to unfold. The accusation itself has wounded the profession.

Already, a popular radio talk show has posed barbed questions that risk putting a wedge of distrust between doctors and their patients. People have made unfair and unfounded generalisations based on this alleged incident. I cannot vouch for every single member of the medical community but I can say with certainty that, as a group, doctors are upstanding, moral people that consistently hold themselves and their colleagues to the highest standards of decency.

TRAINING IN ETHICS

The training in ethics begins in medical school where students are given classes on the subject. And, like in days of old when < apprenticeship was used to pass on knowledge from one person to another, medical students are exposed to superiors who instil the art of medicine, practised with dignity and decorum. After graduation and upon registration with the Medical Council of Jamaica, doctors are provided with a booklet on medical ethics.

The relationship between a doctor and his/her patient is unique. It is built on a solid foundation of trust and a mutual respect for one another. Without this trust, the practice of medicine as we know it would change from one of ease and confidence to one of anxiety and suspicion. Such an unhealthy atmosphere would not be in the best interest of the patient.

The excited reaction of some people reminds me of what happens whenever sharks smell blood. Sharks can detect blood from very far away. They can smell one molecule of blood in over one million molecules of water (that's one drop in 94 litres of water!) Two-thirds of a shark's brain is dedicated solely to the sense of smell. It therefore follows that sharks are not thinkers, they act instinctively and this makes them very dangerous. Many sharks are indiscriminate eaters; they will gobble up anything, even garbage. Sharks have a tendency to go into a wild and crazy feeding frenzy when they smell blood (all part of being irrational).

But unlike sharks, human beings are endowed with the power to reason and should use their God-given gift wisely. It is therefore sad that this single drop of blood should attract closeted detractors and instigate the beginnings of distrust for a group of people that have dedicated their lives to healing the sick. Medicine is an honourable profession with a long history of service and sacrifice.

The Victoria Jubilee incident has prompted the Medical Association of Jamaica to issue a statement assuring the public that their doctors respect them and hold them in the highest regard and that their health and well-being are their only concern. The statement (signed by MAJ President Dr. the Hon John A S Hall) was published in The Gleaner on Friday, March 11, but given the poignancy of the message, it bears repeating:

"The Medical Association of Jamaica is indebted to the public for the regard and esteem shown to our physicians at all times. As physicians, we believe in reinforcing this relationship of trust. The bases of our interactions are knowledge, communication and ethical behaviour of all participants. The foundations of medical ethics continue to be: (1) respect for our patients' rights; (2) doing good; (3) refraining from doing harm; and (4) fairness to all concerned.

These components protect the integrity of the doctor/patient association.

COMPROMISE

The ability of doctors to maintain these ideals is sometimes compromised by a lack of personnel, equipment and drugs which are basic to daily functions and which are major safeguards to this trust and relationship.

There are occasional reports of unpleasant incidents involving doctors. The Medical Association of Jamaica reminds the public that it is never simple to find the truth. There is an unrelenting process in place to ensure that justice is served. The Medical Council of Jamaica has the final responsibility to investigate and adjudicate these matters and institute disciplinary procedures where relevant.

The doctors of the Medical Association of Jamaica pledge to continue to serve our patients with respect, care, and diligence.

Dr Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.