Whatever happened to medical politics?

N. Emmerich
2011 Journal of Medical Ethics  
In this paper I argue the case for coming to see 'medical politics' as a topic or subject within medical education. First I note its absence from the wide array of paramedical subjects (medical ethics, history of medicine, the medical humanities etc.) currently given attention in both the medical education literature and in specific curricula. I suggest that 'the political' is implicitly recognisable in the historical roots of medical ethics education, specifically in certain of the London
more » ... al Group's (LMG's) activities. I also suggest that the medical profession, or indeed any profession, cannot be understood as an apolitical form of social organisation either in its institutional or scientific (epistemic) forms. I then discuss some brief suggestions for introductory and advanced topics in medical politics and consider the degree to which medical politics ought to be taken seriously and delivered as part of medical education. Ultimately I conclude that medical politics might be considered a useful subject within medical education but is perhaps best understood as a perspective or approach which can contribute to the development of a more expansive perspective within the extant paramedical subjects.
doi:10.1136/jme.2010.041277 pmid:21565860 fatcat:w5zynsdcdba2vfnwctnhsmoxc4