title: [The power of the health system and situation of the individual].
abstract: The article discusses the power of the medical profession and the welfare state in relation to individual health and privacy. It is argued that the increasing power of the profession and social welfare entails a threat to the individual as a master of his own health and life. Modern medicine emerged from widespread disrepute in the 19th century into Messianic enthusiasm caused by aweinspiring therapeutic triumphs at the turn of the century. Unreasonable expectations and expansion of the health sector have spawned counterproductive effects which are to some extent detrimental to public health. The definition of health as "complete physical, social and mental wellbeing", and a lack of recognition of suffering as an essential part of human life, are conceived to be totalitarian wolf in the sheep's clothing of welfare. The efficacy of medicine depends on sensible management of the medical profession as a charismatic status. The medical profession has a necessary element of "conspiracy" which is particularly difficult to maintain in the egalitarian culture of Norway. Additional harm is done through extensive misuse of medical authority in dispensing welfare benefits.
authors.affiliation: Sosialantropologisk institutt Universitetet i Trondheim, Dragvoll.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lunheim
mesh_terms: D004741:Engraving and Engravings; D004992:Ethics, Medical / Q000266:history; D005060:Europe; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D007883:Legislation, Medical / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D011209:Power, Psychological
vernacular_title: Helsevesenets makt og enkeltindividets situasjon.