Chimps or Scientists?

I have a few questions about the medical profession. Now when I say medical profession I mean M.D.s and D.O.s, not chiropractors, midwives, naturopaths, psychotherapists and acupuncturists. My question is where has the science gone? It seems to me these days that most doctors (not all) are not really scientists at all. They fail to see how anything can be done differently or better. They stick to what they learned in medical school or what drug companies teach them at their weekend “seminars” and lunches and ignore exciting research being done outside of the clinical setting or in other countries. They fixate on antiquated methods and become stubbornly opposed to new methods of treating disease.

And forget prevention. Healthcare is a complete misnomer. It is sick care and symptom management. To this day doctors tell patients who are gluten intolerant to keep eating gluten until they have celiac disease. And, I’m learning that the same is true for other conditions as well. Adrenal fatigue is hardly recognized in the allopathic community until it is full blown Addison’s Disease. It is a light switch mentality. You either have it or you don’t and there is nothing in between. Celiac and Addison’s are serious problems that may include irreversible damage to vital organs. So how does it make sense to not treat and advise patients before their condition becomes life threatening? Occasionally I find a doctor who is honest about this reality. “I have medications and I have surgery. This is what I have to offer.” Refreshing, but still disappointing. Basically she was saying, “I can’t help you unless you are willing to walk away with your symptoms masked or until you are in a crisis.”

The other day when I was watching a PBS show called The Human Spark, I learned something about the differences between chimpanzees and humans. Chimps apparently learn nearly everything by watching others. They watch, they learn and they copy methods exactly. Sometimes they stumble upon something new, but once they learn to do something one way, they won’t change. Humans on the other hand will sometimes try to find a new and better way of getting a job done. This is the difference between us and our closest primate relatives.

I find it fascinating how little fascination doctors have with the puzzle of human illness. Our “brightest minds” and all they can do is imitate their predecessors. Is it possible that today’s mainstream medical professionals are more chimp than scientist? Where is the wonder, the curiosity?

When I visit my naturopath, who was a PhD in biology before going to naturopathy school, I am always impressed at how he lights up at the chance to tackle a challenge. He is curious and determined and on top of what is new in the research. Because of this he has pulled me out of some pretty miserable moments when my conventional physicians had given up. I like that he recognizes that I know my own body and that I am an intelligent person. I like that I can bring him new information that I have found and he doesn’t get irritated. In fact he loves it. I like that he asks questions and is willing to say “I don’t know.” He is a humble man and a perpetual student and a great practitioner. He has the heart of a scientist. I wish they would teach that in medical school.