Some Thoughts on Why Doctors Are Considered Professionals and Engineers Are Not

摘要

Today, I had an opportunity to observe the modern medical doctor up close and personal. I spent some time in the operating room (OR) of our local rural hospital for one of those mid-50 s "procedures." During my wait in the queue (I was fourth) I had an opportunity to observe teamwork and the members' well-defined roles carried out with precision. I'm sure that it is the high cost of health care and the corporate approach to medicine (now most doctors work for a group practice or a hospital, as opposed to private practice in the old days) that has transformed our small hospital from the laid-back atmosphere of 20 years ago to the today's very efficient, if not somewhat production line, technique of "get'em in, get'em out." Don't get me wrong! The entire staff is still friendly, genuinely concerned, and given our small community, still has a minute to chat about friends and family. But I'm sure they are on the clock and have a tight schedule-and the OR has to meet budget. Sound familiar?