Movie the Doctor Term Paper

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Doctor

The film The Doctor illustrates both sides of the doctor-patient relationship. Played by William Hurt, Jack McKee is a head surgeon who exudes arrogance until he is diagnosed with throat cancer. Not only does a brush with death change his outlook on life, but also his experience as a patient at his own hospital alters the way he treats his patients. When Jack is forced to wait in lengthy lines, fill out tedious forms, and deal with impersonal physicians, he realizes how dehumanizing, humiliating, and frustrating it can be on the other end of the doctor-patient spectrum. McKee's behavior transforms considerably from the beginning of the film to the end, but he still manages to retain his witty sense of humor throughout. The Doctor provides a cinematic example of why doctors and other professionals caught up in the modern medical system need to respect their patients more, by including them in the decision-making process and eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy.

Jack McKee's most noticeable personal trait is his sense of humor. From the opening scene of the film, the surgeon jokes even while performing surgery. His wisecracks continue even during his health crisis.

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However, the opening scene indicates the level of impersonality that he and his fellow medical workers exhibit when treating their patients. McKee's behavior belies the seriousness of open heart surgery. Later, McKee advises his interns to "be detached" and not care too much because caring can interfere with performance. He tells them, "I'd rather you cut straight and care less."

However, his first experience as a patient receiving tests from the medical establishment immediately shatters his confidence. He seems fearful, and is noticeably stripped of his power. As a top surgeon in the hospital, Jack hates feeling like "one of the herd," as he put it, filling in forms while sitting in the waiting room. Faced with what every other patient has to deal with, Jack at first simply becomes angry. He feels above the system because of his elite rank and tries to buck the system instead of sympathizing with the other patients. When he doesn't get his private room and realizes that most patients do not have a positive perception of doctors, McKee begins to feel shame.

The transformation in his behavior is….....

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