The Consequences of Physicians Treating Their Children

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The Consequences of Physicians Treating their Children
Is it advisable for doctors to treat themselves and immediate family members? In particular, this argument is controversial and some people might say that physicians should not treat themselves and those close to them. One of the primary advantages that emanate from doctors treating those they love is that they reduce medical costs and visitations to the hospital. In contrast, being so emotional might hinder healthcare providers from treating their immediate family members to make proper clinical decisions. In Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, the main character, Madeline, has been diagnosed with a rare disorder called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). However, Madeline’s mother, Dr. Pauline Whittier, is a professional doctor who is ready to take care of her daughter. She employs a nurse, Carla, to take care of Madeline by ensuring that all the medical requirements are met to promote the well-being of her sick daughter. Nevertheless, as the novel enrolls, it is clear that Dr. Whittier’s attachment issue contributed to diagnosing Madeline with SCID to limit her freedom and micromanage every aspect of the child’s life.
The primary danger of physicians practicing on themselves or their immediate families is limiting the freedom of the ill individual. The scenario at hand involves a mother and a daughter. The mother is so attached to her daughter such that she wants her to remain within reach. Dr. Whittier uses her medical professional knowledge and skills and convinces Madeline that her long-term factitious disease is life-threatening and requires strict precaution if one has to survive. Since Madeline is very young at the time her mother diagnoses her with SCID, she does not ask any questions to determine the accuracy of the doctor’s guidelines. Instead, she adheres to the established medical requirements, which include sacrificing her freedom. The SCID is dangerous and can be triggered by various things, including food, drinks, chemicals present in cleaners, and other substances that people come across in life (Yoon 15). As such, Madeline is made to believe that she is allergic to the world and the only safe place for her is her house. Besides, her house is well set up and has everything that the doctor and patient need to improve the well-being of the latter. For instance, Carla is instructed by Dr. Whittier to take the patient’s vitals frequently to determine any minor changes and recommend the best treatment strategy to handle the symptom.
Dr. Whittier appears to have made the calculated decision of diagnosing Madeline with a factitious illness so that she can fully control her freedom, particularly in forming long-term relationships. She tells her daughter how SCID is life-threatening and that the only way to survive is to live indoors and never leave the house since breathing contaminated air outside might be a trigger. Madeline grows up believing that she is allergic to the world, meaning that she cannot even step outside to walk or interact with a friend. Since she is committed to her mother’s clinical advice, she indulges in reading novels to keep...