ABSTRACT
The rise of professions which aim to provide oversight of their particular trade also allows for an element of oversight from other professions. This chapter will consider the instability that comes from assumptions that occur when a profession assumes a certain truth in the mind of the service user by looking at medical professionals, in particular doctors. In the modern era these professions are often highly regulated but with regulation comes responsibility and, by extension, examination from other professions who may highlight potential liabilities. “To err is human, to forgive is divine” as Alexander Pope states in In the poem “An Essay on Criticism,” Part II, 1711. But it seems divinity is not widespread and seeking remuneration for alleged failings is commonplace. This chapter highlights some of the complexities around the issues.
