Page 6, Portland Observer, July 22, 1987 Patients'Rights and the Changing Face of Medicine by Dr. Burnett Rucker, M.D. but simple because they feel uncomfortable with his style. But as well, doctors realize that anything that further demoralizes the patient is going to be a hindrance to his rapid recovery. By consulting with patients concerning their treatment, they are brought more decisively into the medical process and thereby are less likely to feel overwhelmed and at Today in America, we are healthier and we live longer. And people in general are more health conscious-eating better, exercising more and smoking less. At the same time, the face of medicine is changing. On one hand, tech­ nological advances and a better informed public continue to plummet death statistics from such things as heart attack and strokes. Medicine has re mained in the forefront of the high-tech revolution with computers and sophisticated equipment, an indispensable part of the modern medical odds with it. Then too, there is perhaps a growing awareness on the part of patients that there is no "standard" treatment for many ailments. Doctors argue about the advantages and disadvantages of circumcision. Some are for it and others against it. Some doctors will say to stay off a broken ankle; others maintain that it should be walked upon as soon as possible. One doctor will suggest heart surgery for almost anyone with a severe chest pain. Another will tell you that drugs, diet and exercise will accomplish as much as the surgery. Patients are realizing more and more that there is no final authority to whom they can turn to find out what is best. They recog­ nize that they are the ones, in many cases, who ultimately have to make up their minds about what treatment they will receive. And that choice lies practice. And yet our attitudes as patients reflect a more humanized, less awe struck regard for doctors. Today we are less likely to blindly follow their advice. We are asking for far more information concerning treatments and we are much more likely to demand a say in what those treatments will con­ sist of. The relationship between doctor and patient approaches a joint partnership more than ever before. There is also a new emphasis, according to many doctors, on the patient as a person rather than just on a specific disease or troubled organ. For one thing, in the hospital environment, there is more time for the individual patient. In 1970 the occupancy rate for U.S. hospitals was 80 percent, ac­ cording to the American Hospital Association. By 1985 the figure had drop­ ped to an average 69 percent and at times, some hospitals are only half full. And the number of doctors generally, according to American Medical Asso nation statistics, continues to increase faster than the population, a trend that is predicted to continue at least until the turn of the century. But the shift in emphasis has other reasons beyond simple resources. Doctors themselves are becoming increasingly aware of the link between a patient's mental attitudes and healing process according to Norman Cou­ sins, the former Saturday Review editor and now a faculty member at the UCLA Medical School. "People's attitudes about illness and life itself have biochemical effects," he recently told The Wall Street Journal. You and I have cancer cells, but our body is equipped to deal with it. But at times our immune systems are impaired, and whatever enemies are inside us establish first and probably foremost in the choice of a doctor. While the majority of doctors (more than 60 percent) continue to operate in the traditional office-based setting, there appears to be a growing open- mindedness amongst medical practitioners toward the various methods available to cater to the "w hole" patient. In Los Angeles, for instance, the Shaw Health Center now offers a range of services on the same premises with a team that includes medical doctors, chiropiactors, and homeopaths. As well, several of the doctors are also trained in L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics technology, giving them an exper­ tise in mental aspects of psychosomatic illness and a thorough appreciation of the mental factors, such as stress, which can help to precipitate illness. The explosion of interest in such technologies as Dianetics as well as the whole question of proofing up the immune system will probably, in the years to come, push medicine even further toward a holistic and more pre­ a beachhead." There is a trend in the field of medicine to pay a great deal more attention to patient rights. For one thing, doctors realize that patients will sometimes change doctors, not because they feel their current doctor is incompetent, (Ainsworth Ft Albina) 281-3576 Sunday Bible Lessons.......................................................i v m a m Sunday Worship Service................................................. 11 J " Wednesday Prayer Hour...................................................6:30 P.M. Friday Bible Studies Class....................................................... Recreation A ctivitie s • Participation in the State Games of Oregon • Compete in the Portland Basketball League • Camping hiking and retreat facility accessible to church groups and families • Family social hour weekly activity Dr Rucker is a staff physician in two Los Angeles h o s iiita ls ____ Swim Lesson Registration Herb C aw thorne, o utg oing President o f the Urban League of P ort­ land thanked his and the League's supporters at a reception held fo r him at the N o rth w e s t Natural Gas Co. last w eek. The statue of "P o rtla n d ia " was a g ift fro m the Urban League Board of D irectors. Photo by Richard J. Brown The Portland Park Bureau is offering swim lessons at 12 neighborhood swim pools. Registration begins Wednesday, July 22, at 7:00 P M. at each of the pools. The dates of the Monday through Friday lessons are July 27 through August 7 and August 10 through August 21. Children three years and older may participate in the program. Classes for the non-swimmer through intermediate level are offered. Cost for the ten, thirty minute lessons is $12.00. The classes have one instructor to six students ratio. The swimming lessons are offered at Cres­ ton, Southeast 44th Avenue and Powell Boulevard; Montavilla, Northeast 82nd Avenue and Glisan Street; Mount Scott, Southeast 72nd Avenue and Harold Street; Pier, North Seneca Street and St. Johns Avenue; Sell­ wood, Southeast Seventh Avenue and Harold Street; Metropolitan Learn­ ing Center, 2033 N.W. Glisan Street; Buckman, 320 S.E. 16th Avenue; Columbia, North Lombard Street and Chautaqua Blvd; Dishman, 77 N.E. Knott St; Grant, Northeast 33rd Place and Thompson Street; Peninsula, North Albina Avenue and Portland Blvd; and Wilson, 1151 S.W. Vermont Harold Bishop, M in iste r ■Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Gor».z»iwivi . (ntùjue (M u m ¿fnte/wr r f a i ï w t i w ORIGINAL DUPLICATION FACTORY Street. • AUTO • TR U CK • MARINE • AIRCRAFT • Convertible Tops - Carpets Bost Tops - All Types Of Repairs Landau Tops - Complete Interiors ventative approach. In our high-tech age, medicine will on the one hand continue to find new and better treatments for specific ailments. There will be more outpatient surgery. There will be more forms of non-invasive surgery using such things as lasers to avoid or minimize cutting into the body to remove parts of organs. But the trend, as well, will continue toward a more humanized less technical and more involved stance with patients. Specialization, of course, will continue as the only way that medicine in general can hope to keep up with the innovations and new techniques. But in the future, we might also begin to see a branch of medical specialists who do not see the ill at all. Rather they will specialize in well people, work­ ing to build and maintain the health and immune system of their patients. But even today, the patient should realize that there are choices and dif­ ferent options available to most medical situations. Selecting a doctor is no longer just a question of medical competence. It also involves the question of compatibility and outlook. If your doctor is not giving you the kind of in­ formation and support that you would like, particularly when you are well, then you might want to look around for a different one. Today, there is more freedom of choice than ever before. ___________________ ____ Peninsula Park Christian Church 5949 N. Albina * «tJS* America's first aerial photograph was taken from balloon over Boston in 1860. Taken by J.W Black, it was entitled "Boston as the Eagle and the Wild Goose See It." - ic o n ¿ 0 0 -1 (O n e D a y S erv ice } T H E M O U N T O L IV E T B A P T IS T C H U R C H P R IC E S S T A R T IN G : N.E. First ft Schuyler • 284-1954 John H Jackson, Minister, M Ed., M D 9 30 A M Church School 11 00 A M Congregational Worship C A R P E T ......................................................................... »95.00 6 up Convertible T o p ................................................................. .. Body Side M o ld in g ..............................................................$30.00 H e a d lin e rs ........................................................................... $1™ ° ° 5:00 P M Vesper Service 10 00 A M Baptism Fourth Sunday 11 00 Communion Each First Sunday V inyl T o p s ............................................................................. Tonneau C o ve rs.................................................................... Seat R e p a ir...................................... ■_• • — The American Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches of Oregon: Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention: National, Oregon, Portland Ecumenical Ministries, American Bible Society, M .& M . Board. Price Includes Installation Cox Funeral Home has a s ta ff dedicated to the fam ilies in their hour o f need w ith lo w cost funerals, d ig n ity and liberal term s. 5510 N. INTERSTATE — PORTLAND, OR. P. D. SEVIER \ SON GARBAGE SLRVICE l>IC ^odate Your6üsx 11O 1 EDW ARDE. WARD, DMD GENERAL DENTISTRY •DENTAL CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY’ N .E . Shipping • Cremation • Buriel 2736 N.E. Rodney • (503)281 4891 Portland, Oregon 97212 A lberta YOU ARE WELCOME TO WORSHIP A1 84 N .E PREVENTION ORIENTED FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL STAFF INSLRANCE GLADLY ACCEPTED SEDATION FOR SENSITIVE PATIENTS FEES DISCLSSED PRIOR TO TREATMENT - YISA/MASTERCARD NEW PATIENTS WELCOMED ALL H 'S LINES — VALIDATED PARKING OfFICE HOLRS MONDAY SATLRDAY. I AM EVENINGS AVAILABLE ADA MEMBER Business is still picking up. C o n t a in e r s A va SI Q c D ro p il a b l e B oxes K illin g s w o r t h • 281 0499 "A warm spirit of fellowship always" lu \rk of Snictx hurt h of God in Christ R esidential & C om m ercial » W iA - v -, » ; Complete Automotive Service Tollou’ peace cvilli all met) c holmes* wilbotit which Motor Tune-ups • Brake Line 5 0 3 -2 2 8 -3 0 0 9 • DEQ Adjusting • C a ll Lilian Dr. Edward G. Ward 610 SW Alder, suite 1008 -0262 Lorù ( • Tuesday Bible Band 7 30 p m Thursday Choir Rehearsal 7 00 p m Sunday • Sunday School 9 15 a m Morning Worship YP W W Evangelistic Worship Tuesday Friday 11 15 a m 6 30 p m 8 00 p m Noon Day Prayer Friday The Pastor Speaks 7 30 p.m . Saturday Morning Prayer 9 00am S/*MM