Nitin K.Sethi, Associate Professor of Neurology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY U.S.A.
Submitted September 22, 2018
I read with interest Dr. Sergay’s commentary on patient burnout. [1] Patients are increasingly becoming disillusioned about their caregivers. The reasons for this disillusionment run deep but the fundamental reason is the erosion of the physician-patient relationship, a sacred relationship founded on the Hippocratic Oath.
“I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice….In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art….If I fulfill this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come…” [2]
From the lofty principles enshrined in the oath we have sunk to the depth where the relationship itself is now referred to as physician-client or physician-customer relationship. Physician-patient interaction is now reviewed on the internet in much the same way as one would review a restaurant or a movie. This has evolved into a Catch-22 situation and we cannot address patient burnout until we address physician burnout.
I read with interest Dr. Sergay’s commentary on patient burnout. [1] Patients are increasingly becoming disillusioned about their caregivers. The reasons for this disillusionment run deep but the fundamental reason is the erosion of the physician-patient relationship, a sacred relationship founded on the Hippocratic Oath.
“I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice….In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art….If I fulfill this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come…” [2]
From the lofty principles enshrined in the oath we have sunk to the depth where the relationship itself is now referred to as physician-client or physician-customer relationship. Physician-patient interaction is now reviewed on the internet in much the same way as one would review a restaurant or a movie. This has evolved into a Catch-22 situation and we cannot address patient burnout until we address physician burnout.
1. Sergay SM. The burnout patient. Neurol Clin Pract 2018;8:346-348.
2. Hippocratic oath today. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/hippocratic-oath-today.html (Last assessed on Sep 22, 2018)
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