Medicine and money: Friends or foe ?

Abstract

The relationship between medicine and money is a delicate one that all people involved need to handle responsibly. If one becomes a physician for the mere fact of pursuing money, s/he may soon find that another profession or activity may have fulfilled such a need in a better way. While in the practice of medicine the interest of the patient is paramount, this does not suggest that the welfare of the physician should be neglected at all. It is much about a balance of priorities between the legal and ethical pursuit of money and the promotion of the health of society. Physicians are not called to a life of self-denial, poverty and destitution, as others may be tempted to suggest. The service of patients and the honest reward from one's labour are not incompatible. Where conflict of interest arises, it is prudent for a physician to always remember never to harm oneself, the profession and the patient more than what can be gained.

Conflict of interest

“…In physicianowned practices, it may be difficult to avoid overtreatment of patients. [9] Physicians may also have the urge to reciprocate for the incentives they receive from the pharmaceutical industry. This may involve overprescription, prescription of costly medicines in order to gain more profit and performance of procedures on patients that do not significantly alter the disease or contribute to treatment.…”

La ciudadela (1938) de King Vidor: luces y sombras en el ejercicio de la profesionalidad

“…Aun así aceptando que la prestación de salud pueda ser una forma de negocio, esto abre las puertas a otra materia: el conflicto de intereses, de los cuales los médicos no están exentos de caer, ya sea a través de farmacéuticas y laboratorios privados, investigación clínica, o sino por el ahorro de recursos propios de la entidad de salud. Todo esto puede alterar las decisiones clínicas que propone el médico 15,16 .…”