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Elliot Abemayor, MD, PhD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009;135(5):432-433.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Health care reform, in terms of lowering costs while increasing delivery to a large population of uninsured patients, appears to be a priority for both major political parties. If we are to have any influence on this process, it is self-evident that as physicians and citizens, we should make our views clearly known to all involved parties. The question arises whether we should do so as a solitary advocacy body or whether it is proper and timely to actively educate, lobby, and enlist our patients as allies in this process.

The complex, asymmetric,¹ and unique physician-patient relationship is appropriately held to the highest standards. As characterized by the American Medical Association (AMA) ethical code, " . . . the clinical encounter between a patient and a physician, is fundamentally a moral activity that arises from the imperative to care for patients and to alleviate suffering."²

This relationship has potent social . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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