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Humanization of Medicine
Valentin Pozaić
; Institute Of Philosophy and Theology of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Since medicine, by its nature and essence, is directed towards the service to man, it should necessarily be humane. The author proceeds from definition of health (WHO) which comprises care for man on the level of the reality of his bodily, spiritual and social existence to an equal degree.
The danger of contemporary medicine - considering its orientation, on the one hand, towards extremly detailed specializations, and, on the other hand, towards perfection and application of most diverse devices and methods - lays in the fact that it is occupied with the illness itself and tends to neglect the subject: the patient - person.
As an answer to this threat a renewal is suggested, humanization of three basic relationships in the medical profession: 1 ) physician - medical institution ( = hospital, faculty of medicine); 2) physician - collaborators; 3) physician -patient. These relationships can be and should be humanized in the light of the principles of Hippocrates' oath and the fundamental elements of evangelical morals, i. e. integral humanistic ethics which, inspired by love, adopts the culture of renouncement and promotes the culture of life. The prerequizite and guarantee for the humanization of medicine is the humane physician. Considered in the light of faith, the final aim of the humane physician is a holy one.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
53316
URI
Publication date:
20.8.1992.
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