On Medieval Doctor-patient Relationship

The relationship between doctors and patients has been existing since ancient times. Doctors come into being as a result of patients, and patients are cured by doctors. They are closely related to each other. Doctors treat patients who receive treatment. The basic relationship of practicing medicine and seeking medical advice never changes. The relationship of doctors and patients is not only an individual phenomenon, but also a little complex social relationship. The views of practicing medicine and seeking medical advice influenced by different social politics, economy and culture in medieval period also exert profound influence on the relationship of doctors and patients of ancient China.The thesis takes the relationship of doctors and patients in medieval period as the research object, in combination with the knowledge of medical science, history of medical science, sociology and religion to conduct the comprehensive exploration and comparison on the relationship of doctors and patients in medieval period and to carry on consideration with the connection of social reality in medieval period, the state of the spirit and faith of the contemporary people, the development of Buddhism, Taoism, and witch, hoping it is helpful. Therefore, the thesis will set off a discussion from the following several parts.Part one focuses on doctors of medical market which is further divided into three aspects. First, doctors'rewards. Practicing medicine can bring rich rewards to doctors which is one of the reason why they take up this profession. In addition, the practical consideration behind practicing medicine and the exchange relationship of doctors and patients will be explored. Second, competition among doctors. This section pays attention to a significant aspect, which is the competition of specialists and general practitioners. This section points out the contemporary medical market lacks order and rules while the self-proclaimed orthodox by doctors doesn't obtain the support from the government and the systems, which only stays at the level of language and symbol. In practice, they have to face all kinds of competitions. Third, doctors'protection mechanisms. Doctors not only protect their life, but their reputation which is regarded as capital exchange, including reputation and trust and the latter is the aim pursued by doctors. Part two diverts the focus to the other side:patients. This part mainly identifies the scope of the relationship of doctors and patients, pointing out the patients in medieval period are not the characters waiting to be emancipated innocently and passively. They also can dominate the medical process actively. This part firstly mentions that patients act as important roles in their individual interpersonal network while seeking medical advice, that is the so-called "acquaintance society". The second section mainly illustrates the therapeutic ways, aiming at the emphasis of the probability of patients' choice. Besides asking specialists for help, patients can turn to religion for help or refuse to receive treatment instead of self-treatment. It needs pointing out most patients dissociate themselves from the relationship of doctors and patients.Part three discusses the strategies of patients while seeking medical advice, including their choice of doctors, inviting doctors, trying the medicine and changing doctors. They often recommend doctors to each other or sending for a doctor according to the opinion of the third party. Some patients often change doctors which results in doctors in a hurry or there are several doctors in the medical facilities at the same time. Nevertheless, the lively scenes in the medical facilities are not only confined to these. The family members of patients have their own ideas which is the strength trail among doctors, patients, and the family members of patients discussed in the forth section of this part.Part four elaborates the ethics and responsibility of doctors and patients. It will discuss whether doctors can refuse to treat patients and the reason; who is responsible for patients'life, doctors or patients; or what is responsibility. It needs pointing out that the doctors'responsibility is an ambiguous problem. Doctors who can shoulder the responsibility may be owned to his personal choice, or religion, or his personal moral request. Responsibility doesn't belong to the doctors'professional ethics.The conclusion part expounds the features of the relationship between doctors and patients in medieval period and its influence on the contemporary society apart from the brief summary of the research in this thesis.