Evolving Roles of Medical Doctors
The Constantly Evolving Role of The Medical Doctor
Although, since the 13th century, it has been a title shared by anyone in Europe who holds a PhD (regardless of the field in which it may have been earned), in most countries, anyone who now obtains even an undergraduate medical degree qualifies to be addressed as “doctor”. In Italy, however, it is common practice to refer to any person who possesses a degree by the equivalent Italian honorific of dottori, whether they are a physician or not. The term is derived from the Latin word doceo meaning “I teach” and was adopted by apostles and Christian scholars whose job was to interpret and teach the scriptures.
Physicians and surgeons, of course, have been attending to the health of others for millennia, dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China, while Indian physicians were the first to introduce the concepts of prognosis, diagnosis, and ethical practices, although it was not until the 5th century that the Greeks drafted the Hippocratic oath, which was to form the basis for the codes of practice applicable to the medical doctor of today.
That said, it was only in 1220 in Italy that formal training of physicians was first introduced. Even then, the belief that health depended upon a balance between the four “humours” of black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood, postulated by Hippocratic medicine, persisted until replaced by the germ theory of disease in the early 19th century. This led to an improved understanding of the risk posed to public health and subsequent efforts to improve water supplies and sewage systems. By the early 20th century, the first dedicated research centres were established. These facilities were not only responsible for numerous improvements in diagnostic and treatment procedures but also created an interesting new opening for the medical doctor.
In practice, research in a whole range of different fields has served to change the nature of medicine dramatically and is continuing to do so. Though X-rays remain of value, advanced medical imaging techniques such as the computer-aided tomogram or CAT scan, MRI, and ultrasound have led to improvements in diagnostic medicine, while also facilitating the early interventions that are resulting in markedly improved outcomes. There appears to be no end to the potential for continued advancements in all branches of medicine. Virtual reality is already being used to provide practice opportunities for surgeons.
Intercare remains dedicated to ensuring its members will continue to have access to the very best treatment at the hands of healthcare professionals.