Dear Rob, if the HCP is wrong s/he is wrong.  You're right, there is an
ethical obligation to give mom accurate up-to-date info.  If we don't call
a HCP on poor or inaccurate info then we are only perpetuating ignorance.
It can be done nicely, but it needs to be done.  Turn it around.  What
would you say to a mom whose HCP says "every cold must be treated with
amoxicillin?"  What would you say to a HCP who tells a patient that
"smoking is really relaxing and you can continue."  Or "you don't really
have to watch your diet with diabetes.  Just cover up high sugars with some
extra insulin."  We know that these are wrong.  There are standards of
practice that HCPs must generally follow.

Over the years I've used lots of different ways to handle this.
Give mom printed info  with good ref.
Share ref with dr.
Talk with dr.
Tell mom "s/he's wrong", softening it with "maybe s/he hasn't seen this new
info" (like it was only published in 1978 for heaven's sake ) or the
standard "they don't get much info on BF in med school.  If she  (or his
wife) didn't BF then s/he probably doesn't know what really works."
With Briggs and now Hale, I just read the info verbatim, offer to copy it
for mom and/or HCP and let the chips fall where they may.
Sincerely, Pat in SNJ

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html