"The notion of the doctor as a saint is an old one. Indeed the tradition healers of the past centuries have been priests, priestesses and even practitioners of magic. With the dawn of the scientific era, the practice of medicine evolved from one deep in tradition and folklore to a more evidence-based form of practice. However, with more transparency, the mystique of the medicine man was lost. And doctors and healers began to be seen as mere mortals."

Scientist

It is essential that we recognise the need to produce and nurture more clinicians who have the ability to understand the significance of new knowledge and discoveries made in the biomedical sciences and translate these discoveries into therapeutic applications to improve the health of our society. Research will be more relevant and its translation to clinical practice more rapid if we have a core group of clinicians who have a good understanding of both basic research and its clinical applications.

In our hospital practice today, we have to be mindful of the high costs of medical care. However, we must remember that patients' needs must be held paramount. The quality of care and the safety of the patient must be ensured. In managed healthcare organisations in the US, we hear of compromises such as withholding care or control of laboratory investigations and even treatment modalities by hospital managers. In the private sector, there are instances of unnecessary investigations and treatment. I suggest that as doctors, no matter where we practise, we must be cognizant of the possibilities of such unethical practices and work closely with our hospital managers and our colleagues in our healthcare profession to ensure that we follow the best practices and at the same time be able to deliver cost effective and evidence-based medicine. Ultimately, it is this team approach that will deliver the quality care that all our patients deserve from us.

ASM Winners

1st prize

Dr Tan Yau Boon, Barrie

ENT

Computer-assisted quantitative videoendoscopic analysis-exploring the new frontiers of obstructive sleep apnoea.