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Show 198 Fredericks, Marcel A., Paul Mundy and John J. Lennon, "Los Medicos en una Nacion en Desarrollo: Trasfondo Social y Actitudes," America Indigena, XXIX, No. 3 (July, 1969), pp. 699-709. English summary: An attempt has been made to explore some of the possible socio-psychological aspects of social backgrounds and some selected attitudes of physicians practicing in Guyana, a newly independent and developing nation. The study findings indicate the following: 1) Although the respondents in the sample came from relatively comfortable families, two-thirds of the physicians had economic problems while attending medical school. The majority depended upon scholarships and fellowships to complete a substantial portion of their medical training. Thus, there would seem to be a need to support talented students of less well-to-do families. 2) The most vital feature in indentifying a "good" medical student over and above his knowledge of medicine and his ability to apply such knowledge was asserted to be the ability to establish rapport with patients. 3) Respondents were more likely to consider education as the most important factor affecting their judgment of a patient as a person. Over two-thirds of the physicians, on the other hand, were very emphatic in not considering race as important. 4) Ten percent of the doctors asserted that some of their colleagues often made hurried contacts with clinic patients-contacts which are hardly amenable to produce a favorable attitude toward the indigent patient. The poor patient is regarded as irresponsible, and people who are unable to pay their bills. 5) The doctors (especially the native-born) are very much aware that their chief reason for becoming a physician is to become wealthy. This attitude is ingrained by their parents from the very earliest years of childhood. 6) The attitude of the physicians in the study group toward the poor is also depicted by their tardiness and absences in public institutions. Absenteeism rate is high, and the claim is made by the doctor that he cannot be dismissed because his services are in great demand. The result: the medically indigent patient suffers and awaits a painful death in many cases. 7) Recruitment is not only difficult, but after training there has been a steady brain drain to the richer countries of the north The question arises: Is it possible to utilize the services of non-medical practitioners to alleviate the illnesses of the peoples of Guyana? Additional research is necessary to get the answer to the above question. Gutierrez de Pineda, Virginia, "Antropologia Aplicada y Salud," Anuario |