Giita

A Code Of Ethical Behavior For Patients



1. Do not expect your doctor to share

your discomfort. Involvement with the

patient's suffering might cause him to

lose valuable scientific objectivity.




2. Be cheerful at all times. Your doctor

leads a busy and trying life and requires

all the gentleness and reassurance he

can get.




3. Try to suffer from the disease for

which you are being treated. Remember

that your doctor has a professional

reputation to uphold.




4. Do not complain if the treatment fails

to bring relief. You must believe that

your doctor has achieved a deep insight

into the true nature of your illness, which

transcends any mere permanent disability

you may have experienced.




5. Never ask your doctor to explain what

he is doing or why he is doing it. It is

presumptuous to assume that such

profound matters could be explained in

terms that you would understand.




6. Submit to novel experimental treatment

readily. Though the surgery may not

benefit you directly, the resulting research

paper will surely be of widespread interest.




7. Pay your medical bills promptly and

willingly. You should consider it a privilege

to contribute, however modestly, to the

well-being of physicians and other

humanitarians.




8. Do not suffer from ailments that you

cannot afford. It is sheer arrogance to

contract illnesses that are beyond your

means.




9. Never reveal any of the shortcomings

that have come to light in the course of

treatment by your doctor. The patient-

doctor relationship is a privileged one,

and you have a sacred duty to protect

him from exposure.




10. Never die while in your doctor's

presence or under his direct care.

This will only cause him needless

inconvenience and embarrassment.