Feminine fraternity

Dr Reynolds’ commentary (Can Fam Physician 2007;53:385 [Eng], 389 [Fr]) was very much appreciated. The abuse of power and the development of the MDeity syndrome is still too prevalent in the medical fraternity. Physicians with this type of attitude create substantial time difficulties for those who choose compassion, empathy, and good social skills when dealing with patients. There is a small subgroup of physicians who are “social-intelligence challenged.” They might be tired and overworked, as most of us are, but the human touch and compassion, or soft knowledge, are critical to compliance and patient satisfaction. Physicians can learn to say no, agreeing to disagree in an agreeable way. By dividing patients’ human value from behaviour, one can always address behaviour, making certain that the patients know that they are cared for and that their complaints are important. Practitioners with MDeity syndrome create grief in the referral process, and much explanation is required when advising patients as to why these doctors have this cold and seemingly unlistening attitude. Such issues as this one need to be addressed in particular in the surgical residency programs. The increasing percentage of women physicians has been refreshing in this respect, as the feminine touch (even when administered by male physicians) is generally nurturing, yet direct and authoritative. We must keep encouraging each other to aggressively embrace hard knowledge intertwined with the feminine, compassionate, imaginative touch. We need more creative and compassionate medical students.

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