Doctor shaming in social media

A viral storm is shaping up over the social media shaming of a doctor for charging his patient for services rendered. The patient recovered. Yet, in spite of giving a discount on his fees, the patient’s family accused him of being heartless. A prominent media person went on the attack as well. His post earned the ire of medical professionals as well as patients of the doctor who swore by his competence and compassion.

- RAYMUND W. LO, MD, FPSP

Let’s pause for a minute and find out what went on ina doctor’s life. He/she studied four years of premedical course to qualify for admission to medical school. One must have excellent grades for a shot at getting admitted to a reputable medical school. It means many nights burning the midnight oil while his contemporaries are having dates or nights out with the barkada.

Once in medical school, one’s social life becomes practically zero as it’s another four long years of studying and enduring sleepless nights of reviews and duties in the fourth year. Another year of internship continues the hardships of becoming a full-fledged doctor followed by more sleepless nights reviewing to pass the medical board exams.

Most doctors go into a residency of three to four years followed by subspecialty training of another year or two of sleep deprivation. A doctor starts medical practice only after spending half his/her life in pursuit of the noble profession.

Meanwhile, their contemporaries have breezed through life after a four year college course and are already earning a good living and starting families. Many have become millionaires/billionaires without so much as a sweat.