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CREATIVITY IN THE PRACTICE OF PROFESSION
Kathlyn Q. Barrozo
Class of 1991, University of Santo Tomas
B.S. Medical Technology
Creativity is considered a unique gift possessed by such people as artists, writers, directors, advertising people,
teachers, even businessmen. Unlike doctors, lawyers and accountants who have to live their professional lives
ensconced in the precise world of Science, Math and beyond-reasonable-doubt forms of reasoning, those who
deal with life and their profession using much creativity use less exact concepts in their works. Others might
argue that for art to be truly “artistic”, there has to be exact balance in color, shapes, and other basic
components. But remember that the most lauded pieces have been in the abstract forms, for they incite the
mind to think of symmetry where there seems to be none, thought principles where they seem to be non-
existent.
Of course, lawyers need to have their own brand of creativity, right? They need to defend their clients no
matter what, even when the argument seems to be unfeasible at best. Although they always ask that their
clients stick to the truth as closely as possible, this is not always the case. Otherwise, they would lose cases
easily and without a fight. So they need to practice just a little “creativity” in their arguments. Can you just
imagine how unscrupulous lawyers deal with the practice? This is not to condemn all lawyers and categorize
them as cheats and liars---it forms part of their job specifications. As Patrick Murray once said, “A lawyer will do
anything to win a case; sometimes he will even tell the truth.”
Even doctors sometimes have to be creative enough to soften the impact of what they have to reveal to their
patients. It wouldn’t be good practice to tell the patient that he’s about to die in three days, it won’t be kind. In
the US, it is considered medically unethical to reveal the specifics about one’s medical condition to the
patient’s relatives, for instance, to the patient’s spouse. Formal permission has to be obtained from the patient
himself. But that’s not the case in our country, where everything is shared, even the specific medical conditions
of a certain patient. I wouldn’t say that the American way is infinitely better, but come to think of it, it could be,
in more ways than one. It would allow the patient to decide on his own how to go about his specific condition.
Some would undoubtedly argue that two or more heads are better than one, so having someone close to
tackle whatever condition you have can prove more advisable. But there’s always the option to provide
disclosure when the patient chooses, so there’s a way to go around that. Unlike when the patient’s loved ones
know from the onset about the patient’s condition, the burden would be doubled, tripled, quadrupled,
depending on how many people know. It is therefore upon the practitioner to practice a little practical
creativity when the need arises.
In closing, let us remember that we all have to deal with a little creativity one way or the other. That’s how the
world runs, creatively.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Why does an artist have to be creative?
2. Do you agree with the writer’s opinion about lawyers and doctors?
3. Who is the most creative person you know? Talk about this person in class.
4. Why do you think teachers need to be creative in the practice of their profession?
5. Do you think you are a creative person? Why or why not?