do physicians deserve credit for the work nurses do?
recently, the nobel prize-winning médecins sans frontières / doctors without borders (msf) launched a u.s. tour of an exhibit highlighting the global aid group's vital work in conflict zones. [color=#54198c]"a refugee camp in the heart of the city" features msf aid workers guiding visitors through a model of actual relief facilities. the exhibit explains the challenges msf faces in providing care, nutrition, and decent living conditions. this is a perfect time to thank the group for its admirable work--and to note that its continuing use of the name "doctors without borders" sends an inaccurate message about who is doing that work. we understand nurses are the most numerous health professionals among msf workers, and they play a central role in the group's efforts. yet when journalist suzanne gordon suggested to a physician msf leader that the group consider adopting a name that did not slight its nurses, the leader said that she hoped msf would never be so "stupid" as to do so.
the center has tried to discuss the matter with msf for two months, but we have gotten no real response. the group's name seems to reflect the undervaluation of nursing that is undermining health worldwide, particularly in the developing nations msf tries to help. we doubt that msf would suffer by phasing in a similar name, like "soins sans frontières" ("health care without borders"). we urge msf to give its own nurses the credit they deserve--and that nurses everywhere need to help their patients. [color=#54198c]read more or [color=#54198c]go straight to our letter-writing campaign!
