Physicians Fighting for Social Change an Overview

Abstract

Today’s often cynical views of medicine have rendered many of its founding goals and ideals barely recognizable. Over the past few decades, medicine’s “persona” has evolved from a humanitarian endeavor to a high-tech, impersonal, moneymaking venture. For example, managed care is threatening to turn medicine primarily into a business, preventive strategies have been eclipsed by spectacular rescues and miraculous cures, and the schism in quality of care available for those who can and can’t afford treatment has widened. Changes in medicine’s fundamental identity have made it easy to lose sight of the principles that in previous eras not only influenced medicine but defined it.