Low vitamin D prevalence at the GP practice.

Davidson writes excellently about the risk of too much medicine in Oman and the Middle East suggesting that this may be related to traditional Arab culture that seeks to please or satisfy a guest.1 This is known as Ikram ad-Daif, an Arabic phrase which can be translated as ‘honouring one’s guest’; one of the most established practices in Arab and the wider Muslim tradition. Application of this may, indeed, make it difficult for doctors to refuse unrealistic and inappropriate patient requests, fuelling rising patient expectations. However, it is noteworthy to remember, that honouring someone is also to fulfil one’s obligation to them. Core medical principles such as effective communication and shared decision making should be applied alongside sensible and judicious medical investigation and prescribing; this would be, in my opinion, truly honouring one’s guest and fulfilling one’s obligation towards them and the healthcare system as a whole.