Ethics and the comprehensive application of epistemology in medical practice.

Our simple definition of ethics is good thought, speak and action. Epistemology means the hypothesis of facts about thought, speech and action. Medical practice is all means of medicine. Medicine classifies people into normal and abnormal. The abnormal are the sick. They loose some organs or those normal looking organs are dysfunctional. They are social problems, some can be treated, and some do not get the appropriate care. The problems of society of normal people are overeating and obesity, abortion, drug abuse, promiscuity, torture, terrorism, disobeying rules and order, corruption, brain-washing and unethical advertisements, etc. On the other hand, the social problems of the abnormal are down, deafness, blindness, dumb, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and cancer, etc. An example of the social-doctor problem is the mal distribution of doctors in rural areas. It was reported by the ministry of public health that the ratio of doctor to population to be 1:800 in Bangkok and 1:5, 700 in some rural areas in the north eastern part of Thailand. The doctors, themselves, are at a high grade of worker and intelligent quotient. They know all the problem and, at the same time, create problems, both, faster than the general population can do. It affects good and bad in the society. In the past, present and the foreseeable future the medical students get their studies in the western style. Their medical schools are situated in big cities. These schools are old and famous. They learn their medical procedure in a big hospital of more than 400 beds in the inpatient department wards. Their instructors and professors are highly qualified, are middle class people and well accepted in the society. Their families are lovely and warm. Their children study in the first class schools in town. The medical students feel very happy and appreciate seeing their professors in television routinely at prime time. In conclusion, their professors are an example of role model for them to follow. Everyone looks for security in her/his profession. Facts need no proof and reference. People with justice in mind should believe and understand the above mentioned. This leads to the problem of mal distribution of doctors in rural areas, why do doctors live in big cities or wish to be in the private sector? In fact, not many a number of doctors serve in the rural area. About 4-5 of them, their name will be announced yearly as the best rural doctor award. After the big ceremony, lasted not longer than a month, it is hard to remember their name. They are proud to be praised, it pushes them into stress intentionally with all the best of their intelligence and the total of their body strength to work harder in rural. Unfortunately their earning, the security of their profession, the increased chance of being sued, to get caught in the medical litigation, the expenses of their family social status and the study of their children cannot be compared to of those doctors in big city and/or in the private sector. Mal distribution of doctors in remote rural areas has been a persisting unresolved problem in many parts of the world, why not apply the principles of ethics and epistemology? They have been left, untouched forever.

Medical ethics for senior medical doctors (episode I).

A good leader will never ever forget themselves, or abuse the power or authority, and also not trust only the inner circle voice, nevertheless they have to listen and consider the voice of disagreement from others. Otherwise, they will transform themselves to be a "dictator" unconsciously which is very dangerous and harmful to the democratic ruling system as well as themselves and their family members, as you can see from the past history of foreign countries and even Thailand itself. Thai culture is surrounded and consistes of kindness, mercy and good wishes to each other. The patient is so grateful and appreciates the value of the medical doctor for saving their life. Even although the Western culture is penetrating globally as a business-oriented culture in which medico-legal cases such as patient's rights, the value of the patient's benefit protection and certainly it requires the legal act to get involved eventually. The compromised culture which has been embedded in Thai society for a prolonged period can be changed firmly and gradually because of the usual and regular condition and definitely the good and valued medical doctors is still around. The opportunity of medical doctors to act as a pioneer of the trend and conflicted societies, is responsible to them and it's a great opportunity for Thai medical doctors to reach out to these goals and excellence. The above statements can be found in various media. Is it true that the medical doctors will absolutely be hundred percent good guys and have good luck from time to time? But for sure, even our medical colleagues are very much dedicated and concentrated in their job, as the family members of our medical profession, they have been left out, they have no time to share with or even be responsible to them. Many of our friends in the same profession might feel so sorry or appreciate the term "short-belt situation" or "unexpected" event which might attack us from the society violently and unmercifully.

Searching for medical ethics in Dharma conversation.

Our medical ethics team has a great opportunity to consider the terminology of"Moral Rights", "Good guys", "Understanding the real world" and the issues about "live salvation". What has been mentioned about these terms in Buddhism? In Buddhism, it has been cited that moral duty is the cause that leads to the moral rights as result. When we act the right as well as decent things, we are entitled to get the fair deals in return. We used to forget to consider that, isn't our moral duty or not?, to just either pay respect to the other people's rights or simply protect the other people's rights. Regarding to the Buddhism religion, there are a certain criteria to be "Good guys" i.e. firstly, not to make any sin at all such as not to exploit the others physically, verbally and mentally. Secondly, to make merits, such as helping out; showing the mercy and kindness to the underprivileged; donating money, land and properties, or even sharing the justified idea is also included. We also forgot to ask about tempting the others with a certain of hindrance i.e. assets, land and properties. Have you already made the sin with these temptations or dominating the idea of people? How the people will understand the fine line between the sin and meritorious deed? Buddhism kindly advises us to understand and consider the real world in two steps as well as in parallel way. Looking around us as surrounding of illusion. These illusion or fantasies will not be sustainable, only temporarily indeed. For example, human being has to go through aging process, illness and eventually death. What we need to consider in parallel is the matter about "Within us". What is the secret issue about "Within us"? Brain, spirit, heart or extremities, wherever we point at, will be just only human biological tissues or various elements. Last, but not least, practicing salvation when you still alive is perplexing. Live salvation is already existed within us, nowadays. No need to wait for the next life. Salvation can exist when we still alive. Salvation is to purify our spirit which require proper training to keep it clean in sustainable way.