Would You Want a Doctor Like House, M.D.?

Doctor Gregory House, played by actor Hugh Laurie on the Fox's series "House, MD", is an interesting character to say the least. His often arrogant and callous ways combined with an addiction to pain medications, would have any sane patient in a real hospital running for the doors. However, House's unique quality of disassociating himself from the patients he diagnoses is what actually allows him to be the best in his field. It is that "Best in His Field" title that would make him the first choice pick for a doctor.

When you choose a doctor, you want them to look at all the pieces of the puzzle, and not just give up when they cannot find the direct cause or diagnosis. We see this too often in our health care today. Too many people going to many different doctors in order to get one diagnosis, because many doctors do not pick apart every piece of the mystery before they either misdiagnose you, or pass you off to some other specialist.

House, though belligerent and sharp tongued, leaves no stone unturned and even the hardest of cases will leave him obsessively pondering and reasoning the actual condition his patients are inflicted with. He is cold, he is not a people person, and his bedside manner is obnoxiously outrageous, but it is that disassociation with the fuzzy feel good compassion for the ailing that lets him truly see passed the person and more directly at their medical condition. Sure, he could spend huge amounts of time making the person feel loved and happy, but it is his ability to not build that attachment with his patients that allows him to diagnose more accurately, and thus builds their trust despite his mannerisms.

If we could forego the fuzzy feel good relationship and bond with our doctors and substitute it with someone who will take the time to reach a proper diagnosis, it would be a benefit to us all.

As for House's addiction to pain medications which he takes to cope with his real medical condition, it only makes him look more human. Pain is a real sense, and unfortunately the medications that help dull pain and allow people to live life are addictive and have bad side effects. He does not take these medications because he is a drug addict; he takes them to alleviate real pain he experiences. It is what makes him human and just like everyone else. It does not prevent his ability to identify and diagnose his patient's conditions, and in some ways may contribute to his ability to think more intensely and obsess over his patients conditions, driving him to follow through and diagnose.

Having a doctor like Gregory House on a quest to your medical diagnosis would be a great asset. You might lack the bedside manner, but you know you will have a thorough examination and investigation into any medical problem you have. He can see through the fakers, and the hypochondriacs, and weed out the serious ailments, proving that his perception is keen. House is definitely the best in his field, and would you not want someone like that handling your care?