The High Status of Physicians

Considering the logistics of all that it entails to become a physician in this country, I believe that the respect that is typically afforded to them is deserved. Their training is by far the most rigorous and lengthy and the requirements just to even be admitted to medical school and successfully graduate are such that only those who have proven themselves capable are granted the title of M.D. I feel that it is safe to assume that every doctor has entered this profession understanding the responsibilities that will ultimately be in their hands. They realize that their direct actions and decisions can be the difference between life and death and having the courage to pursue such a profession is admirable. Often times these physicians have to trust their own judgment, make split second decisions, and essentially go with what their intuitions and gut feelings are telling them to do with respect to their patients lives, which is something that I think takes a great deal of confidence. Not everybody can be as confident with their own decisions.

Having said all of this, I also do believe that other professionals such as physician assistants, nurses, LVNs, CNAs, teachers, public health professionals, etc. are not given nearly the amount of credit that their hard work has earned. Without them, doctors would not be able to practice in the manner that they do since the healthcare system works best if all of its components are working as a team. A patient's successful health outcome is not due solely to the doctors actions, but also to the nurses, PAs, CNAs, and LVNs that carry out whatever the doctor has ordered. But ultimately, the healthcare "team" needs a captain- someone who acts as the leader to delegate responsibilities and duties to the rest of the team as well as designing a course of action tailored to each individual patient's needs. And it seems only fitting that those who have the most educational experience in the field are given the title of "captain."