Medical Ethics

2.    In The House of God, with time, Roy began to dehumanize his patients (following in the footsteps of Pinkus and some others).  In fact, some physicians believe it is necessary to remain emotionally unattached to their patients for professional impartiality, self-care, and other reasons.  Others argue that patients have to be viewed as unique, individual, and, importantly, whole human beings who are owed all of a physicians attention, care, and perhaps even empathy and love.  Do you think that Shem (the author) takes a position on this debate in the book, and if so, what is he trying to say?  Whatever your argument might be about Shems intent and/or message, do you think that he is right?  Why or why not?

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