To grade a clinician
For ages medicine has been practised as an art of healing. Over the last century, however, it has undergone a revolution, augured by parallel advances in science and technology, and the definition and concept of “grading” a physician has evolved accordingly. In earlier times the yardstick for assessing a physician`s ability was simple, albeit relatively abstract. It involved appraising his art and skill to consistently diagnose the source of illness in patients based on their signs and symptoms, and then to cure them or provide relief to symptoms, using available resources. From these humble beginnings, clinicians now talk in terms of “translational medicine”, phased trials, randomisation and analyses, all under the umbrella of rational and scientific medicine. There is an increasing tendency to judge a physician`s credibility and stature only by his contribution to scientific medicine, and the value of good clinical sense and approach to patients has taken a relative backseat.