When Doctors Say Don't and the Patient Says Do

NYTimes ^ | 10/29/02 | MARC SIEGEL

[Just another Joe]

Whether the surgery was indicated or not if the patient insists on it, signs a waiver stating that they knew the risks and were willing to take them, and can find a doctor willing to do the surgery it should be laughed out of any court.
Notice I say, "should be".

[Marysecretary]

One of my doctors wanted me to have a procedure done to prevent fluid from accumulating around my lungs. I looked into it,asking another doctor who didn't recommend it, a nurse, and an alternative care provider I see several times a year. I decided not to do it. Doctors are so prone to just suggesting these things without really knowing the consequences. They rarely tell you to diet (I have high blood pressure--medication! Never said a word about nutrition to me.) and they know nada about supplements. If it weren't for the supplements I'm on, I could be dead by now. I believe they've helped me far more than all the medications I've been taking. You DO have to get educated and ask around. Don't be bashful. (P.S., I'm doing much better than I was!)

[Marysecretary]

Drs. can help maintain your health. They don't cure you. Diet and supplements can help do that. I recommend the Hallelujah Diet for anyone who has a serious illness. It can be found on the internet. We need to be careful what we eat, drink, and do with our lives. We only get one time around.

[Marysecretary]

My doctor has prescribed two medications for me that were not good for diabetics to take. One shot my blood sugars so high and for so long that I had to get another glucose monitor to get the real numbers. The old one just kept saying HI. The other one caused many problems in another diabetic woman. They really don't know what they're prescribing or how it can affect you. I brought in one paper to show him but they don't like to admit they're wrong. I don't have confidence in doctors much anymore.

[RedWhiteBlue]

That reminds me of a friend of mine. He says the right way to choose a doctor is to go from one to the next until you find one that will do what you tell him to. LOL.

[Just another Joe]

The doctor IS supposed to be working for you.
At least that's what I PAY mine for.

[Mark Felton]

"I don't have confidence in doctors much anymore."

Doctors used to belong to an aristrocratic class that demanded respect and trust just for existing as part on an aristocratic elite.

Every individual doctor must earn my respect over time. It is better to enter a patient-doctor relationship wary and with some skepticism before affording them your full confidence.

"Dubitando ad veritatem venimus."
We arrive at the truth being sceptical.
-- Pierre Abélard, Sic et non?

[joonbug]

I am glad you added the "should be". There are elective surgical procedures performed that involve extensive informed consent processes including written materials, watching videos, taking a quiz, discussions, etc. and still they sue if the outcome is not to their liking.

[Just another Joe]

and still they sue if the outcome is not to their liking.

Only because personal responsibility, especially in the courts, is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

[joonbug]

Very true and that is why doctors are reluctant to always follow the patient's request for surgery if the indications are dodgy. The patient is happy to exercise "personal responsibility" when choosing their treatment, but if the outcome is not to their liking, "personal responsibility" is replaced by "it's someone elses fault".

[Erasmus]

Guess I need to get glasses. When I glanced at the first sentence, I thought it said,

"The woman was 93 and still lap-dancing."

[B4Ranch]

Any responsible doctor who feels the patient is selecting the wrong course should tell the patient that he/she should interview a different doctor for the solution. Why would you enter into a course of action that you don't feel is the correct one? Aren't you setting yourself up for a day in court?

By the way I don't have much faith in MD's anymore. I feel they promote drug use without consulting the patient as needed. It's been a long time since I had a doctor who called me at home to ask how I was feeling when he subscribed a different medication.

I have a spinal injury and four different MD's pushed drugs at me until I was an addict. Now I regularly see a chiropractor and use no drugs whatsoever on a daily basis.

By the way, a nurse suggested this chiropractor telling me that the doctor would never recommend the treatment because it would probably cost him my business.

[Marie Antoinette]

There are some good doctors out there, but they keep retiring or flat out won't deliver babies anymore :-( The effort to find them is just too much anymore.

Sign me,

Having my babies at home!