ABSTRACT
The male doctor is portrayed not only as a friendless individual, but also as incapable of relating to his colleagues and subordinates. Instead of cooperating with each other in the interests of their patients, doctors are continually fighting among themselves over status, money and personal prejudices. These tensions and quarrels become particularly unpleasant when two physicians share the management of a patient. On a much lower socio-economic level, 'Doctor' Iannis in Captain Corelli's Mandolin is totally at ease with and part of the village population on his Greek island. One of the clearest expressions of the ambivalence of general practitioners towards specialists comes from Dr Richard Mahony, whose financial difficulties force him to resume general practice in a Melbourne suburb. According to E. Hemingway, the bond between the referring doctor and the consultant depends not only on their social and political connections, but also on a shared lack of ability.
