In all the forty five plus years that DZ practiced as a doctor in the NHS, there is something that he never really fully noticed. Something that he pretty much took for granted without thinking about it.
And that is the respect with which I, and most of my colleagues were treated by the vast majority of our patients. And the value that was placed on our knowledge and advice, not only as individuals, but as a profession by society in general.
This was brought home to me yesterday when I read two articles about the fact that, in the USA our medical colleagues do not appear to be regarded so highly and their knowledge is increasingly being disregarded by the prevalence of what Asimov called “anti-intellectualism”. As an example, as many as 10% of the population are opposed to the practice of vaccination.
The consequences of these attitudes are well illustrated by this news article. “According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, as reported by Idaho News 6, almost 60 people have gotten sick since May 19 after drinking raw milk. So far, 45 of those cases have tested positive for Campylobacteriosis,”
This is in spite of the fact that raw milk is described on the packaging as “not for human consumption”
But this lack of respect for the medical profession goes all the way to the top. This news illustrates that, even the most eminent of our colleagues are not immune from political oppression.
“At the 86th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in New Orleans on June 5, 2026, police forcibly ejected five prominent obesity and diabetes researchers.
The researchers, including Steven Kahn (editor-in-chief of the ADA's flagship journal Diabetes Care) and pediatric obesity expert Justin Ryder, were removed from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center by police after handing out copies of an editorial they authored criticising the Trump administration.”
Perhaps this is part of the chaotic insanity prevalent in the USA currently. Or perhaps the expense and, for many, inaccessibility, of medical care in the USA has resulted in a disillusion with the profession. A disillusion that has culminated in the murder of a CEO of a healthcare company. The victim had amassed a fortune of 43 million dollars, by running a health insurance company that had a reputation for reluctance to actually provide the care their customers had paid for.
DZ looks back at the interactions he enjoyed with his patients over the years with great satisfaction. Obviously there were a small number who caused a degree of irritation. But the vast majority were a pleasure, and some were truly delightful.
I have a small number of gifts I received from some of them. In accordance with GMC guidelines they are all low in monetary value. But I cherish them all. This is perhaps my favorite, from a lady now long passed but remembered fondly.
