Unethical Behavior
Sukhit Phaosavasdi MD*, Surasak Taneepanichskul MD*, Yuen Tannirandorn MD*, Boonchai Uerpairojkit MD*, Chumsak Pruksapong MD*, Aurchart Kanjanapitak MD*, Vorapong Phupong MD*
Affiliation : * Members of Medical Association of Thailand
For much of our history, Thai society held in very high esteem monks, teachers and doctors(1). Due to
the economic pressures, our agrarian society is rapidly changing to a more industrialized society and the
family values are also changing to more individualistic values. Furthermore, the changes within the esteem
ranks are readily observed as groups of monks and teachers have been seen in public demonstrations parades.
Furthermore, as we have seen a crowd of doctors parading(2-4), the impact of this trans-cultural change will
affects the Thai medical practice and professional behavior.
Well known and highly accepted physicians have been expressing their thoughts through radio,
television, newspapers, and public talks(5). While their comments were theoretical and philosophic, they were
directed towards our government leaders. This is well beyond the principles and science of medicine(6). As we
all remember, the basic principles and science of medicine are as follows: listening, questioning, examining,
investigating, diagnosing, providing differential diagnosis treatment and continuation of education. This has
remained the same since the Hippocratic era, and all parts form a whole. Any student skipping a part in the
process of learning could harm the patient by providing a flawed treatment and disable, increase suffering,
and even kill the patient. All medical instructors have been trying to convince their students that “Patients are
your father, mother and or children”(7).
Recently, a group of physicians have been involved in the demonstration parade(4). While their
personal views are protected, their professional views should be questioned on the basic principles and
science of medicine based on Hippocrates principles.
In the medical profession, all our actions must remain completely ethical and we should avoid any
carelessness. Today, many in our society feel strange about their esteem of the medical profession. This feeling
has been stirred slowly by various groups of people from the doctors themselves to the media portraying the
profession in a negative light. If we do not regulate ourselves, our morality and ethics may erode to a point
where the public views of the medical profession change from trust to distrust?
Keywords : Unetical behaviour
