THE ART OF MEDICINE
Waqar Aziz, MD
"Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is
also a love of Humanity."
- Hippocrates
T
he art of medicine has evolved over
the past 10,000 years as knowledge
and communication have continually
improved. Arguably, the past 50 years have
produced some of the greatest advancements
in modern time, with medicine now, for the most part, viewed as
a sophisticated science. Medical technology has allowed patients
to live longer, often with an increased quality of life. The ability to
consult with specialists around the world is at our fingertips, and a
voluminous amount of research data is available to make high tech
decisions and perform precision surgical procedures, all under the
evidence-based theorem.
The system in place for patients to receive these services is a
continual work in progress, fraught with pitfalls, obstacles and
a seemingly endless bureaucratic maze. The patient checks with
their insurance for a primary care provider in the network, an
appointment is made, old records are reviewed, new tests ordered;
if a specialist is needed, the patient is referred based on insurance
network coverage. The visit is then coded using the most up-to-date
ICD-10 code for optimal medical reimbursement. Medications are
prescribed, and then substituted because they are not on the patient’s
medication formulary, however, time is short, for there are more
patients to see. According to the insurance plan, the patient leaves
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
owing a small co-pay or a tremendous medical bill that can be an
overwhelming burden. Throughout this process the provider must
document well, as he may be required at some time in the future to
defend his treatment decisions.
The medical practitioner has seen his role change from an independent provider in a solo practice, to the now common practice of
being part of a hospital-owned group. In this climate, is there still
room for the art of medicine along with the science of medicine?
What is the art of medicine really? It is learned by experience and
patient-driven. Years ago, the physician made house calls as well
as seeing patients in a small office usually located in his home. The
physician came to know the patient and fami