The Commodification of Humanism: Methods, Marketing, and Morals of a Postmodern Shift in the Philosophy of Medicine

Abstract

Consideration of the history of medicine reveals a postmodern shift in the philosophy of medicine, one that arguably strays from its humanist foundations. Though often attributed to Sir William Osler’s contributions, the modernization of medicine extends beyond his influence, as well as beyond his time. Peaking in the mid-1900s, the paradigm shift in the philosophy of medicine continues to compel a certain dichotomy between humanism and medicine today. Despite being historically intertwined, medicine distances itself from humanism amidst the institutionalization, depersonalization, and monetization of the medical field. Notably, the commodification of medicine entails three central themes: methods, marketing, and morals.

Community or commodity? Perceived nurse support during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Commercialization of medicine, which is dominant in the US where this study took place, is a form of commodification that's built upon the transaction between customer (patient) and seller (healthcare institution). The satisfaction of the customer is important in commercialized medicine; however, a customer satisfaction focus can also be a progenitor of mistrust in healthcare institutions 47. Thus, perceived commodification of healthcare workers and skepticism about the authenticity of administrators may be underacknowledged consequences of commercialized healthcare.…”

“…care institutions. 47 Thus, perceived commodification of healthcare workers and skepticism about the authenticity of administrators may be underacknowledged consequences of commercialized healthcare. Healthcare administrators may benefit from implementing supportive leadership styles, such as authentic or servant leadership, to offset the mistrust between nurses and administrators inherent to commercialized healthcare institutions and to enhance communication with nurses related to financial decision.…”

Peculiarities of Professional Training of Educational Managers in Conditions of Transformation Processes

“…The postmodern notion of a highly qualified professional is based on the assertion that an effective professional must possess certain professionally important and personal qualities in order to perform his or her professional duties productively. In particular, it is postmodernism that takes into account individual personal qualities and characteristics in the process of professional training, which is a reflection of such transformational processes as humanism and individualism (Iny, E., 2021), which are designed to focus on an individual as the basis of social change.…”

“…Optimization of the process of professional training of education managers in the perspective of priority areas of postmodernism is an objective necessity and the consequence of such transformational changes as innovation and information development. In the context of these areas, such qualities of educational managers as the universality, the ability to find ways and means of non-standard solutions (Ali, I., Mohamed, M., 2017), readiness for innovative change (Zadorozhna-Knyagnitska, L., 2020), striving for self-development and self-realization (Moldazhanova, A., Toleubekova, R., Zhumataeva, E., Sarzhanova, G., 2018), following humanistic tendencies in relation to others (Iny, E., 2021), constant self-learning and improvement of information skills (Connolly, M., James C., Fertig, M., 2019). Such qualities will ensure training for competitive and mobile professionals (Rakšnys, A., Valickas, A., Valickiene, R.P., 2015), able to quickly adapt to dynamic and changing social conditions, labile and able to model their behavior, adjust the consequences of their actions.…”