There is a new game show on televisions these days that has captured the attention of a number of individuals. The thrill of instant wealth is very attractive and seems to sell and attract viewers. The name of the program is “Deal or No Deal”. The objective is quite simple. The contestants must decide whether to accept cash deals or keep whatever dollar amount is in their chosen briefcase with the ultimate prize being a million dollars.

The rules are simple. Choose one of the sealed briefcases full of varying amounts of cash-- ranging from a measly penny to $1 million dollars. The risk element of the game kicks in when the player must instinctively eliminate the remaining 25 cases. As each case is opened, the likelihood of the player having a valuable cash amount in his or her own case decreases or increases, therefore the contestant must either stay with their original briefcase choice or make a “deal” with the bank to accept its cash offer in exchange for whatever dollar amount is in the chosen case. Deal or No Deal?

     This game of chance might be fine for television but it is certainly not the way we should practice our profession. We cannot afford to take unnecessary risk with the lives of our patients. They have placed their trust in us and are depending on us to make the right choice. Taking short cuts, ignoring standards and principles promotes a system destined to fail. Jeopardizing the integrity of our core values in the interest of personal pursuit radiates beyond the individual. Often, those actions or inactions impact many individuals and processes. Taking the path of least resistance may seem attractive and expedient at the time but we simply compromise ourselves and weaken the fiber of a tightly knitted system depended upon all to do the right thing. Fortunately, the system is strong enough to absorb many instances of questionable missteps. You can’t go wrong doing the right thing. Don’t compromise your integrity or values to satisfy the ill-placed desires of others. Be strong in the face of opposition knowing that you stand for what is right. Our patients demand the best from us and we must be willing to accept the call. I consider it a privilege to be able to serve them. The healing profession is a noble calling, one in which we are able to give something back to our fellow man. Every patient deserves to be treated with respect and caring.  I know it is easy sometime to see them as just another prescription but there is a face, story, life behind every one and we are making a difference. Unlike the game show, we don’t make distinctions between the briefcases or our patients. No patient, no matter his or her age, health, personal sacrifice, status in life or disposition should be bartered away. Every one of them is worth a million dollars. Thank you for not making “deals”. Everyday you make me proud to wear the uniform.

Secundum artem

Col Everett B. McAllister (email)