The Mafia

Family is important. If we look at the Mafia, we find that they know what brotherhood is all about. They may on occasion be on the wrong side of the law but they are often on the right side of supporting their friends. The problem I find is this - in the UK, who in the realms of bureaucracy is on the right side of the law?  Laws are broken every day and few pay much attention.

There is therefore something charming about the mafia - they know what family means, they accept each other and they fight for each other. In 2007, the Ten Commandments of the Mafia were found. My two favourite actors are Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. I was brought up on movies like Scarface and The Godfather. Th Mafia has been made a legend by Hollywood. Apart from their reputation, their existence and survival is down to their allegiance to each other.

There is something admirable about the manner in which the Mafia protect one other, take care of each other and will always be there for their brother. It is much like family. Compared to the UK's medical profession, the Mafia probably has more integrity about it. I say this with a great deal of respect for the utter selfishness that exists within the profession today. Most would see their colleagues deteriorate and die and not lift a finger.

The lack of cohesiveness and support for their whistleblower is evident especially if that person is not quite "like them". By "them" you have to have the status, the kudos and the style. Times have changed a little because Kim Holt managed to garner some king size support for her campaign. Not that she will get anywhere with the campaign or the litigation but at least she is trying and at least people are supporting her. So perhaps aspects of the medical profession is slowly changing. Perhaps things have moved a step forward in that support can be garnered once the whistleblower is in the public eye.

Then I believe that most of the support for Kim is largely due to the maximum publicity and I suspect everyone wants a piece of the cake. Few whistleblowers command any level of support. The same appears to have happened with numerous whistleblowers who are not high profile. By comparison, Margaret Haywood inspired legions of nurses, doctors and the public - yet she did not whistleblow in the same circumstances as others who raise concerns. The media can play a large role in gathering cosmetic support.

So, the distinct lack of support [which is the reality of the situation] is telling of our times. On one hand, the BMJ and its associated publications crows about improvement in the system. In private, they would never associate or fraternise with a whistleblower, never mind sit on the same table as them. Pariah is the buzz word and mud sticks.

All the whistleblowers I have spoken to have at some point in their lives faced professional isolation. For those who are naturally socialites, it bothers them a whole lot. Indeed, this aspect can be crippling to them on occasion. I am not sure why professional isolation didn't quite bother me, possibly because my friends are all from the arts. They tend to be more human and supportive than those in medicine. I was trying to explain to a friend that artists tend to look at the world differently and more humanely. In general, they are also more generous with their time. A doctor doesn't have time for anyone.  He or she will always imply that they are the busiest one of them all. A person working in the arts will always make time for important things. I have studied this comparison for many many many years. I often find that this is the reason why many doctors who fall out of line, or off the steps of medical evolution tends to find themselves a little lost. They have little in the way of support from their colleagues - probably because they are all too busy fluffing their egos to similar doctors. If anyone has ever been to a party of doctors - it is often a bit like watching a selection of peacocks showing off.

If you want undying friendship and loyalty, join the mafia. If you want seclusion and animosity during difficult times, become a doctor :). I should though add that you can find many many fair weather friends in medicine. I don't believe that real friendship exists in medicine at all. Medics are too vacant and self centred for that. Quite a lot of relationships are based on opportunism, symbiosis and money. I may of course be wrong :).