The other side of the medical coat

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In Literature and the Arts, we have examples of the representation of the countless faces of the doctor and the influence of these views on the image that the doctor has of himself, which directly interferes with his illness process. This work aims to explore the construction of the figure of the doctor in society and how it implies his behavior as a patient. DEVELOPMENT: Allied to prestige and authority, the practice of Medicine is accompanied by a great demand. In this way, a very high level of collection and a context of denying medical illness is created. The image of the sick doctor can be seen as an unrealistic situation. We have examples of this in the book “Ensaio sobre a Cegueira”, by José Saramago, in the work “O Médico Doente”, by Drauzio Varella, and also in dramaturgy. Analyzing another aspect, an interesting point is that, being patient, the doctor can learn how the other feels, which also refers to the concept of empathy. Furthermore, the different perspectives on the fact of having knowledge about diseases are highlighted. CONCLUSION: The difficulty of detaching the multiple dimensions of the Doctor, due to the historical construction of this professional as a “demigod”, strong and studious, and to his own personal vision of omnipotence, generates a denial of medical illness. The expansion of studies in Human Sciences and Medical Humanities can provide a greater understanding of this situation.