Not surprisingly, the document was greeted with skepticism by many who questioned the wisdom of a powerful professional group voting itself rights and who perceived the Charter as a threat to the dignity, values and integrity of the profession. In the current political and economic climate, it is understandable that physicians would demand a statement of rights. Efforts by governments to reform health care systems and curtail public spending are having a dramatic impact on the resources available for patient care and have placed limits on physician practice and earnings. Simultaneously, patients are becoming educated consumers of health care and have high expectations of choice and outcome. As a result of these competing demands, demoralization has become widespread within the profession.
People are afraid to stand up for our rights.
Our rights are essential. Although many physicians may believe that a statement of physician rights is needed, in our view the Charter suffers from both substantive and procedural failings. Consider the following examples. This is classic doublespeak. By analogy, freedom to divorce is what allows couples to achieve the best marital relationship.