Can we ever blame a doctor?

A recent study finds Singapore-trained doctors "more lenient" on peers' ethics. One person responds. We study this response.

Source: The Straits Times, 25/7/9, p.A45 (letters)
Headline: Two views on doctors' views
Writer: Dr Yik Keng Yeong

Quote1
Once past the prime considerations of patient welfare, professional competence and civil law infraction, tolerance of minor indiscretion and misdemeanour is but recognition of man's and doctor's fallibility. ...

Comment1
The position taken here is one of "tolerance" and "recognition of fallibility". Notice its scope. The "prime considerations" are specifically excluded, and only what is "minor" is specifically included. It follows by definition that what is minor can (or even should) be tolerated.

Quote2
Doctors are ... inclined to be cognisant of their own human foibles and frailties, ... especially so as the practice of medicine is so fraught with daily pitfalls that only he who has not sinned can cast the first stone.

Comment2
If a kettle is black, even a black pot can truthfully say "The kettle is black." The claim that a pot cannot call the kettle black commits the Tu Quoque (you too) fallacy, and must be rejected.

Quote3
If doctors take to heart the sapient Chinese proverb ... (We should forgive wherever we can), ... the last cynical conclusion we should draw is that there is a conspiracy of tolerance. ...

Comment3
This is a conditional statement: "If doctors ..., (then) the last... tolerance". This is not an argument. No conclusion or position is drawn from it.

Quote4
Even where discipline is required, everyone deserves a second chance.

Comment4
What do we do on the third incident?

Quote5
Where intra- or inter-departmental punishment suffices, advocation of further craconian measures serves no purpose but to tar reputations and destroy careers. ...

Comment5
Note the word "suffices". It follows by definition that no further action is warranted. The question is when do intra- or inter-departmental punishment suffice, especially bearing in mind Quote3 above?

Quote6
Perhaps many of them [foreign trained doctors], provisionally registered with the Singapore Medical Council,will treat any survey with undue suspicion and offer politically correct answers they feel will not jeopardise their chances of re-registration with the council, nothwithstanding the assurance that all data collected is private and confidential.

Comment6
This says that the foreign-trained doctors circumstances have biased their responses. The argument commits the fallacy Argumentum ad Hominem Circumstantial (Appeal to the person, circumstantial), and must be rejected.

END