Doctor Archive

Well I don't know about you, but it seems that a lot of confusion people have about doctors and combat medics stems purely from the connotations behind the words "doctor" and "combat medic." After playing the game a few weeks, it was obvious that the "doctor" and "combat medic" in SWG were significantly different than real-world doctors and combat medics. However, I do understand the continued confusion, ESPECIALLY considering the new role that the devs have envisioned for doctors in the CU.

Based on the CU's documentation, here are my conclusions:
- Medic is for low-level healing.
- Combat medic is for mid-level healing plus some offensive abilities.
- Doctor is for high-level healing.

Okay, that all makes sense, except when we get to the part where all of these professions are expected to take part in group combat. Now is it just me, or is there a significant difference between a "high-level, in-combat healer" and a doctor? Really, it seems like the doctor role is more like a "white mage" - and I say this NOT in the way the CU uses medicine-less healing and buffing, but that it is more natural to think of a white mage taking an active role in combat, while it is a big jump to think of a doctor running out in the battlefield.

But of course, in the end, it's all just about semantics. I think the devs just ran out of synonyms, which is why we're stuck with the word "doctor" to describe this profession. One thing is clear though: the doctor's role has been clearly defined, and this role barely resembles the role of doctors we think of today. Granted, this all takes place a long time ago in a galaxy far away, but I think the word "doctor" causes too much confusion. I don't think any given amount of documentation will help; people will continue to wonder why doctors don't act like doctors, and people will continue to make suggestions for the profession based on real-world expectations of doctors. Isn't this why people are angry that doctors don't use medicine? Isn't this why people are angry about doctors having no part in the implementation of cybernetics? We certainly don't expect these things of your typical "white mage."

So the question is this: is it time for a name change? I think it would help clear up a lot of confusion, but I understand if people think that a name change would be a little too much, even considering the superficial nature of a simple name change.

= Andrew
Chilastra.Palacek

Message Edited by Jagii on 04-24-2005 10:19 AM

/applaud

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Jagii wrote:
But of course, in the end, it's all just about semantics. I think the devs just ran out of synonyms, which is why we're stuck with the word "doctor" to describe this profession. One thing is clear though: the doctor's role has been clearly defined, and this role barely resembles the role of doctors we think of today. Granted, this all takes place a long time ago in a galaxy far away, but I think the word "doctor" causes too much confusion. I don't think any given amount of documentation will help; people will continue to wonder why doctors don't act like doctors, and people will continue to make suggestions for the profession based on real-world expectations of doctors. Isn't this why people are angry that doctors don't use medicine? Isn't this why people are angry about doctors having no part in the implementation of cybernetics? We certainly don't expect these things of your typical "white mage."

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Yeah, I understand what you're saying. But at the same time, it is rather disappointing that we can't apply our common definition of "doctor" to this game.

Point is, if your role isn't defined by the commonly known definition of "doctor," then why call yourself a doctor? But I guess it really isn't a big problem. I agree that there are far greater issues at stake than proper nomenclature.

= Andrew
Chilastra.Palacek