Doubts in Sacrifice and Service: The Credibility of Medical Professionals

Written by: Bianca Mairie D. Go

With the ongoing pandemic, vaccines continue to be mass-produced for the extra protection of every person’s immune system against the coronavirus disease. However, despite the prolonged testing and development of the vaccines, many continue to doubt the aftereffects of the vaccines and even start to question the medical professionals themselves, even though they assure that the vaccines would serve more good than bad. The anxieties the society had were high enough when the spread of the virus started. As experts try to create a vaccine for the body’s better protection, these anxieties were transferred to the sudden creation of new vaccines. The average vaccine development would take at least five years, not to mention medical professionals would still need to test the effectiveness of the vaccines (Vaccine Research & Development, n.d.). Nonetheless, the COVID-19 vaccine only took approximately a year to develop before mass production, thus creating confusion and doubt on the efficacy of the new vaccine, which also led to doubt about the credibility of medical professionals. What most do not know regarding the speed of the development of the vaccines is there were already multiple similar studies previously. And because of the stretch of the affected areas, governments provided enormous fundings for researchers to create vaccines, both of which allowed a speedier process for the development of the vaccines (Ball, 2020).

Regardless of pandemic concerns, many have already doubted medical professionals, even pre-pandemic. Some fear healthcare due to possibly instilled fear from a past loved one or childhood fears of medical institutions. Some may not be aware of the risks they may encounter, as their condition may worsen when untreated (Norman, 2020). And some trust witch doctors, called albularyo in Filipino terms, more than medical professionals due to perceived experiences. Some try to seek the pieces of advice of both kinds of doctors. The medical professional would provide a detailed description of the patient’s condition and the possible steps to cure it. At the same time, the albularyo would simply say that the patient stepped on a taong-lupa, thus requiring an offering. The patient would then believe the albularyo’s advice over the medical professional. However, although it may seem suspicious and unreasonable, the Department of Science and Technology states how albularyos’ herbs are medically approved and can be used as an alternative (Limos, 2020). Still, other practices continue to be a mystery for their credibility.

Aside from albularyos, should medical professionals be trusted? One of the evident long-term effects of the constant development of medicine is how life expectancy continues to increase throughout the decades. The average life expectancy during 1850 was only 36.6; then, it progressed to 78.7 by 2011. As far as 400 BC, experts study the human anatomy and the conditions that may cause discomfort to the average person (The Evolution of Medicine, 2013). By examining the various physical state and the possible ways to cure or alleviate the pain, experts have gone through numerous trials to learn which elements, compounds, and mixtures are better for the human body and would worsen the body’s condition. Medical records such as prescriptions allow them to observe closely if the medicine given works. If it worsens even slightly, they can treat it immediately through other procedures. It is essential to note that all bodies work differently, thus requiring additional courses of action.

Along with the constant development and improvement of medicine, new doctors are also trained for approximately ten years to handle such conditions, ensuring that they do not make any mistake that would endanger the patient’s life. In the Philippines, aspiring doctors study their undergraduate studies in programs related to medicine. Some of which include Pharmacy, Nursing, Psychology, Biology, and Medical Technology (Davis, 2021). After graduating from their undergraduate studies, they would need to pursue med school in which they will study for five years; the last two years in med school would be learning the application of knowledge through internships. After those five years, they would need to take a licensure examination to ensure the credibility of their ability to practice medicine. Then, many new doctors go through medical residency training programs to garner more experience in the field. After residency, doctors may then choose to start working or enter a fellowship training program to further their training in their chosen subspecialty for another two to four years. If they went through the fellowship program, they would need another license to certify their credibility as a specialist (Batongbakal, 2020). Doctors study and train all these years to serve the needs of ordinary people. During the pandemic, most frontline healthcare workers are underpaid and overworked, but they continue to help the Filipino people (Treston, 2021).

If medical professionals are well-educated, why would there be medical scams? Some self-proclaimed doctors may seem credible but could be well-versed in lying their way in the profession. A notable example of a fake doctor is Hazel Pablo, who was already charged with the illegal practice of medicine and violations of the Food and Drug Administration Act (Damicog, 2021). Thus, it is essential to check and research the doctor’s credibility as some may fake their prescription and credentials to profit. Instead, seek professional help from the better known and well-off hospitals, even for only a referral, any way to ensure that the availed doctor is credible to entrust your body.

References:

Ball, P. (2020, December 18). The lightning-fast quest for COVID vaccines — and what it means for other diseases. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03626-1

Batongbakal, L., Jr. (2020, February 1). How to become a doctor in the Philippines: An ultimate guide. FilipiKnow. https://filipiknow.net/how-to-become-a-doctor-in-the-philippines/

Damicog, J. (2021, August 4). NBI arrests ‘fake’ aesthetic doctor. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/04/nbi-arrests-fake-aesthetic-doctor/

Davis, B. (2021, April 29). What are the pre-med courses in the Philippines? — Mvorganizing.org. Mvorganizing.Org. https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-the-pre-med-courses-in-the-philippines/

Limos, M. A. (2020, April 18). Albularyo: Why “magic” healing still prevails in the Philippines. Esquire Philippines. https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/albularyo-origins-and-practices-philippines-a00293-20200418-lfrm

Norman, A. (2020, January 6). 4 reasons people don’t go to the doctor. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/reasons-people-dont-go-to-the-doctor-4779661

The evolution of medicine. (2013, December 20). Best Medical Degrees. https://www.bestmedicaldegrees.com/evolution/

Treston, J. (2021, September 5). Filipino healthcare workers pushed to their limits. The Organization for World Peace. https://theowp.org/filipino-healthcare-workers-pushed-to-their-limits/

Vaccine research & development. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/vaccines/timeline