The power of professionalism: should it be used as a political weapon?

Physician Executive, Jan-Feb, 2007 by Richard E. Thompson

The answer was, "Because he is too pro-patient."

Does that mean doctors are anti-patient? Oh, good, just what we need the public to hear.

Executives thinking like executives make mistakes, too. "I know how we'll save money. Gag the doctors; hide from patients the fact that they truly need medical tests and treatments that we don't want to provide because they cut too deep into our profit margin."

There goes the public trust on which sustainable market share must be built.

6. If a doctor is a physician leader in the hospital's medical staff organization, he or she does not make use of this position to sound like he is speaking for the hospital.

"As chief of staff at Central Community Hospital, I urge you to vote for this measure." Same to you, Dr. VPMA, unless of course the board and CEO have authorized you to speak on behalf of the hospital.

So, is it ethical or exploitative for physicians to use the power of professionalism in the political process? As with many such questions, the answer is, "It depends." The devil is either in the details, or he is not.

Richard E. Thompson, MD, is former vice president of the Illinois Hospital Association, taught ethics at St. Petersburg College and Missouri State University, and is author of Think Before You Believe, Xlibris, 2005. He can be reached at tmaret@sbcglobal.net.

References

1. Koehler, S. "Nietzel: MSU takes allegations seriously." Springfield (MO) News-Leader. November 3, 2006.

2. Ryan, P. "Physicians often shocked by political reality." The Physician Executive, 30(1):4-7, January/February 2004.

By Richard E. Thompson, MD

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