Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
United Daily News / Reporter Shi Jingru / Taipei Report 2010.01.29
Medical advancements have reached a point where even an American professor of surgery acknowledges that doctors spend more time reviewing electronic test results than making eye contact with patients—a phenomenon worthy of reflection within the medical community.
Sherwin B. Nuland, a clinical surgery professor at Yale School of Medicine renowned for his works such as *How We Die* and *The Doctors’ Plague*, visited Taiwan yesterday. He delivered a speech titled "Medical Ethics in the 21st Century—What Matters Most in Being a Doctor" at Taipei Medical University’s 50th-anniversary celebration and engaged in a dialogue with Huang Dafu, president of Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center.
An audience member asked Nuland whether the advancement of medical imaging technologies like CT scans and MRIs has led to a situation where "doctors focus solely on computer reports, leaving little time to look at patients."
Nuland responded that this is indeed a countereffect of medical progress. Doctors rely too heavily on test results, leaving no time for physical examinations or meaningful eye contact with patients. He emphasized that medical education should be reevaluated.
Regarding the trend of doctors choosing less demanding specialties such as dermatology, ophthalmology, and radiology, Nuland noted that this is a common issue worldwide. In the U.S., for instance, medical graduates often face student loans of up to $140,000, making income a significant factor in their career choices.
Huang Dafu added that Boston Medical Center has established a special clinic for underprivileged children, where doctors even give books to young patients. This successful initiative has become a well-known case study in medical education.
Huang explained that Boston Children’s Hospital has partnered with Boston Medical Center to incorporate this model into residency training programs, proving that pediatrics is not just for wealthy patients or rare cases but can also serve the poor. While some American doctors earn high incomes, such compassionate healthcare programs exist and could serve as a reference for Asian countries.
Nuland stressed that despite advances in medical technology and changes in the practice environment, the fundamental principles of caring for patients and showing empathy remain unchanged.
When Nuland received the H1N1 vaccine, his doctor provided detailed educational materials and advised, "Return if you have any issues." He emphasized the importance of "informed consent," ensuring patients understand both the benefits and side effects, even for vaccinations.
He also mentioned that the U.S. permits medical advertisements on TV, where pharmaceutical companies spend considerable time explaining drug side effects. Though this may bore viewers, it is necessary.
[2010/01/29 United Daily News] @ http://udn. com/
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 5394465. shtml
Yale Professor: More Patient Time, Less Report Staring
Medical advancements have reached a point where even an American professor of surgery acknowledges that doctors spend more time reviewing electronic test results than making eye contact with patients—a phenomenon worthy of reflection within the medical community.
Sherwin B. Nuland, a clinical surgery professor at Yale School of Medicine renowned for his works such as *How We Die* and *The Doctors’ Plague*, visited Taiwan yesterday. He delivered a speech titled "Medical Ethics in the 21st Century—What Matters Most in Being a Doctor" at Taipei Medical University’s 50th-anniversary celebration and engaged in a dialogue with Huang Dafu, president of Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center.
An audience member asked Nuland whether the advancement of medical imaging technologies like CT scans and MRIs has led to a situation where "doctors focus solely on computer reports, leaving little time to look at patients."
Nuland responded that this is indeed a countereffect of medical progress. Doctors rely too heavily on test results, leaving no time for physical examinations or meaningful eye contact with patients. He emphasized that medical education should be reevaluated.
Regarding the trend of doctors choosing less demanding specialties such as dermatology, ophthalmology, and radiology, Nuland noted that this is a common issue worldwide. In the U.S., for instance, medical graduates often face student loans of up to $140,000, making income a significant factor in their career choices.
Huang Dafu added that Boston Medical Center has established a special clinic for underprivileged children, where doctors even give books to young patients. This successful initiative has become a well-known case study in medical education.
Huang explained that Boston Children’s Hospital has partnered with Boston Medical Center to incorporate this model into residency training programs, proving that pediatrics is not just for wealthy patients or rare cases but can also serve the poor. While some American doctors earn high incomes, such compassionate healthcare programs exist and could serve as a reference for Asian countries.
Nuland stressed that despite advances in medical technology and changes in the practice environment, the fundamental principles of caring for patients and showing empathy remain unchanged.
When Nuland received the H1N1 vaccine, his doctor provided detailed educational materials and advised, "Return if you have any issues." He emphasized the importance of "informed consent," ensuring patients understand both the benefits and side effects, even for vaccinations.
He also mentioned that the U.S. permits medical advertisements on TV, where pharmaceutical companies spend considerable time explaining drug side effects. Though this may bore viewers, it is necessary.
[2010/01/29 United Daily News] @ http://udn. com/
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 5394465. shtml