Question

Discuss Veatch's proposed models of medicine. How do you see these models impacting the field of medicine? How do these models affect the service health care professionals offer to their patients? Do you feel these categories are adequate or proper in the world of medicine?

Answer 1

Veatch's proposed models of medicine

In1972, the Robert Veatch, proposed 4 models of Doctor-patient relationship.

1. Preistly: This model operates on medical model, which treats patients as illnesses, not as persons.The Preistly model does not takes into account Patient's value system which includes wides range of considerations beyond illness which might impact decion making.
2. Enginnering: This model swithes the locus of decision making from physician to patient. The physician becomes a hired gun who relays the medical facts to the patient then has full authority to select whichever treatment options he thinks is most consistent with his needs and desires then the physician implements the patient desicion.
3. Collegial: It is considered balance between Priestly and Enginnering model. In this equality of dignity, respect and value considerations will be there
4. Contractual: Contract in the events of marriage. in this model there is a sharing the patient understands desicions are taken, by understanding his own values

These models impacting the field of medicine

These models provides theoritical framework in the field of medicine, but this is the concrete concepts which can be differ in the practical situations. Fields of medicine is advanced and continous changing so these kinds of models could not be complely applied in the modern practice of medicine

How do these models affect the service health care professionals offer to their patients

These models serves as ethical background or principles to be followed while taking care of patients so as to avoid ant medico-legal suits.. Some physicians are postively using it and some are misusing them for their personal interests.

These categories are adequate or proper in the world of medicine

These categories are not adequate in the world of medicine. World of medicne is always works on situtaional decisions so things cannot be completly left on the patient hands. There should be mutual desicions which is not enforced on patient and families.

Decisions depends upon proirity, urgency and necessity of health care.