“The political pathology is inscribed in our patients’ bodies and souls”. This rings so true to me. It comes from a Norwegian professor of general practice, Per Fugelli. When I first read it in 2001 it fed my anger at incompetent politicians. I then knew with certainty that (like the professor) my life consisted of patching up other people’s mistakes – not just the politicians but the drug companies, greedy employers, polluters of the atmosphere, George Bush, Sadam Hussein and even the patients. In fact, anyone but me! Thirty years of hard graft clearing up a mess – someone else’s – had taken its toll.
Then I retired as a full time general practitioner and over 18 months the world has taken on a different hue. The posturing of the politicians is still absurd of course, but so is my righteous indignation. I think I can see that the politicians behave the way they do because we behave the way we do. It’s what medics call ‘Folie à deux’ – two mad people living together seeming sane to one another – perhaps in a muddle and each blaming the other – but sane nonetheless.
So there we are! My first blog. The beginning of journey towards …. who knows! More soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment