mythical and modern medicine contd. 3/2/2021 5:25:57 AM
As more and more intrusions occurred it was met with feeble resistance and acceptance. Rules and 'guidance' were published. Physicians became the focus of various enquiries and probes and the hitherto profession of 'faith' and 'trust' became one of 'second opinion' and second guessing leading to burgeoning of malpractice insurance and 'defensive' medicine where physicians order toed a plethora of tests against a possible lawsuit. Some would not take on a 'risky case'. The onslaught on medicine continued and the physicians formed defensive walls and relinquished more of their freedoms and traditions. Hospitals which were run by them started having administrators who were business oriented and hospitals gradually transformed into business enterprises though still non profit.
Around the sixties Medicare was introduced. While great for senior citizens it got the federal beaurocracy involved in medicine. With it came rules and regulations, with first great then diminishing input from everyday practicing MD.
Unity among MDs already minimal fractured further then re-formed under various specialty groups defending their turf weakening the old American Medical Association.
With a steady dose of an assured income thru insurances companies furthered this addiction not realizing that ultimately the payer calls the shots. A noble profession was now rapidly transforming to a trade/business while fooling itself into thinking it was a 'noble profession. (to be cntd)
