Last week I attended a seminar on medical ethics at the CTICC presented by the Medical Protection Society (MPS). There were a number of excellent speakers.
I learnt some valuable lessons from a medico legal expert from the UK. Besides being thoroughly engaging and hilarious he shared many examples and interesting facts. The one thing that stood out for me was what he termed “information asymmetry”. This refers to the vast gap often present between a doctor and a patient’s knowledge of a condition and the management options thereof. He emphasised that it is our responsibility as doctors to bridge this gap.
If you have been one of my patients you will know that I try my utmost to empower you with enough information to make informed choices about the treatment of your knee ailment by being aware of this information asymmetry between us. It is always good to be reminded of how important this is!
A lawyer from Australia based his presentation on a famous quotation ascribed to Socrates, a Greek philosopher of the 5th century BC: “a life unconsidered is not a life worth living”. He encouraged us to carefully analyse our decisions in all circumstances. Sobering thoughts indeed!
Thanks to the Medical Protection Society and to Pathcare for arranging the meeting.