The "ana-ana" and the freedom of conscience in Don Quixote

Abstract

Within the idea of freedom, Cervantes introduces a concept that could well be applied to the well-known "ana-ana", so harmful in the practice of medicine. The dichotomy or “ana-ana” is the division of fees that is required or offered for a referral of patients or prescriptions behind the back of the same patient. The patient is referred to another doctor or a prescription to a certain pharmacy with the promise of receiving an economic benefit. And in that act of derivation, the future reward in money begins to weigh on the decision. It is, nothing more and nothing less, to put at stake the freedom of conscience when making a medical indication to a patient who entrusted us with his health. Let us also know that it is a practice prohibited by the Law on the Practice of Medicine (Law 17132, article 20).