Question

Donald Barr, the author of the textbook, speaks about “The rise in the sovereignty of the U.S. medical profession....”

• What does he mean by that?
• How has the special status of physicians influenced U.S. health policy in the past?
• Do physicians have “special status” today?
  • If they do not, then why not?
  • If they do, what effect might this have on patients, healthcare, and policy?

Answer 1

1. The US is the independent country, governed by the American people, that controls its own affairs. The American people adopted the constitution and made the government. They elected the representative and formed the new policies.

2. In the past patient behaviour within the health care were formed from the Authoritarian position of better educated providers. Hence the health care receivers were completely depending on the physician which in turn improved the physicians status.

3. Yes they donot have special status today as though they are the professionals who will provide the medical care and help in the the need it's now the collaboration and now tha care is patient centered any decision related to the treatment and the decision making depends on the patient until and unles he is not having the understanding capacity.