"..did the doctor make a difference, and was that the best use of his time ?"
You don't know anything about, or understand, the bond of healing that exists between doctor and patient. To say that the doctor might as well have gone home (and done what?) bespeaks a profound ignorance of the spiritual and supportive aspects of healing. A fundamental omission.
"Is it all about respect for the doctor? Shouldn't we be respecting our patients? Power to the elbow of the doc who stayed up all night, but is that the best use of his/her time?"
I sort of thought you'd hit on respect. It's a very unfashionable word. No-one is supposed to respect anyone [except gangstas who will cap you if you disrespect 'em]. You make the serious mistake of believing that respect equals servility and that respect only cuts one way. The fact that you immediately leap to the conclusion that the doctor did not respect his patient and family bespeaks a major prejudice. I suggest that your inbuilt belief that doctors do not and will not respect their patients unless compelled to is fantastic nonsense.
"..we could deconstruct these arguments all night.."
I said, "ALL of them are dangerous if misused - are you insisting that medicines have an infinite therapeutic index? That isn't realistic.". Must I repeat myself?
Are you suggesting that all these drugs should be withdrawn. That doesn't seem very sensible.
Thalidomide was marketed from 1957 to 1961, i.e. over 45 years ago, when trials for drug safety were far less rigorous. It's a bit like referring to the early Comet accidents today. I think that bringing it up in a discussion of medicine today is the equivalent of Godwin's Law/Rule about Nazis.
"..it's not the preserve of doctors and surgeons."
Their responsibilities and duties are unique, so yes, it is. The Regional Ops. manager for an airline is not a pilot and neither are the cabin crew.
Mac
PS: Thalidomide was found to have other, potentially beneficial effects in the mid 60's. It is currently used for treatment of leprosy, multiple myeloma, Kaposi's sarcoma and several other conditions.