"The Doctor"

In the 1991 film titled “The Doctor”, William Hurt portrays Dr. Jack MaKee, a cardiothoracic surgeon coming to terms with issues related to his newly diagnosed laryngeal cancer.

MaKee is presented in the film as a successful and well-respected doctor, quite adept at his surgical skills who, along with his colleagues, performs procedures on and glibly interacts with patients, referring to them as diagnoses rather than people. Jack’s relationships with his wife and son appear to have suffered due to Jack’s work schedule and time away from home. Jack’s wife seemingly has created a personal and professional existence devoid of Jack’s presence, while Jack’s son interacts only with his father via phone conversations. Though Jack lives in a beautiful home, providing amply for the basic needs of his family and himself, Jack’s life consists only of long and frequent workdays, with a history of family neglect on a personal level, complete with the repeated disregard of important events for both his wife and son.

Early in the film, we learn that MaKee has been experiencing symptoms related to an, as-yet, undiagnosed problem. Jack visits with an older, small-town physician and family friend who merely prescribes an antibiotic to treat MaKee’s symptoms. In the midst of a car-ride, following another forgotten event to support his wife’s personal and professional interests, Jack’s symptoms worsen, prompting him to seek a doctor with more experience and knowledge to diagnose his condition. Jack light-heartedly schedules an appointment with a specialist, recommended by his core group of friends and fellow physicians, not only because this person is competent, but an “attractive” female as well. MaKee’s mind-set and approach to the appointment...

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...k’s repeated writings of the words “I Need You” to his wife seem ethically and morally conflicting to Ann as, in the midst of all that has occurred between Jack and Ann, his message is so blatantly out of character for Jack’s communicative style. Initially, Jack’s choice of words may represent Jack’s true need for his wife’s help, as he is dependent on her because of his medical condition. It soon becomes clear that Jack’s verbiage represents his true emotions and, as Jack utters his first words to his wife following his surgery, the repair of Jack and Ann’s relationship truly begins.

“The Doctor” presented interesting and emotional concepts accurately representing the philosophies and behaviors of many medical professionals. Perhaps its viewing would be beneficial by members of our medical community, and provide a framework to the personalization of patient care.