Doctor puts foot on table whilst seeing a patient
People have called for stringent action against a doctor at a hospital in Jizan in the southern part of the kingdom for failing to show respect for his patient.
The doctor was filmed talking to the patient while he had his foot on his office table, a mark of utter respect in the Arab world.
The seven-second clip went viral on the internet and several users called upon the health authorities in Jazan and in Saudi Arabia to investigate the matter and take action against the doctor.
They also called on them to take action to assess the level of satisfaction of patients with the services and attitudes of doctors and paramedics, Saudi news site Al Marsad reported on Sunday.
A blogger, writing under the moniker of Citizen said that the health ministry should not hesitate to take action against the doctor and others who showed arrogance.
“The video clip is very clear and this doctor is failing to be respectful of people and of local traditions,” he posted. “If the hospital does not take action promptly, we are confident that the higher authorities will move into action to ensure discipline within the hospital and the health ministry,” he said.
Al Qannas, another blogger, said that people working in the health sector needed to be reminded of the nobility of their mission.
“Some doctors and nurses tend to forget that their job is to help alleviate sufferings and ease pains,” Al Qannas said. “Their humanity should make them truly humble and ready to help people who need assistance. Unfortunately, some of them forget such ideals and treat people, particularly patients, with arrogance. This is unacceptable and it should not be allowed,” he said.
So, what do you think. Is he arrogant ? Do Doctors believe themselves to be superior or do we put them on a pedestal ?
Very sad how can we take the decision about anybody without any confermation?¿
It is not in Saudi Arabia alone. There is government-run clinic just at the foot of the Human Resources building here in Doha where labourers get free treatment. While I have never been there, I have heard several labourers complaining of the arrogance of some of the doctors at this clinic and the treatment they are given. Is this just because they are poor and the service they get is for free?
From what i have seen in Saudi.. Many of the doctors are very arrogant towards the labourers and treat them with disdain
It's us who lift them on a pedestal due to a lack of knowledge. I know a few doctors from HMC. They are normal, friendly, and curious guys. It's very easy to find information of one's medical problem, for example, from the Mayo Clinic. And then you can talk on an equal level with the guy who intends to cut out some flesh from your body. They do love such patients, because in the end they are all alone with what they know. Sharing is caring and fun!
Yes, some of them become arrogant after they specialize in some field and gain a reputation in their city or country on their work. Once this happens the "human factor" disappears from them and the "money factor" takes over. However, this is not true with all of them. I know of a superb eye surgeon in my city back home who has kept a day of each week reserved for the poor. On this day he performs cataract surgery on the needy, free of cost. The cost of the lens which is needed in such surgeries, is borne by the hospital with the hospital receiving funds through charity. As such, it takes all sorts of people to make up this world.