The recent thread about doctors and refusing medical treatment [ leaving
AMA, etc.] has stirred up a lot of thoughts in my mind and since none of the
other docs have commented, I thought I might.
Are doctors any different than other groups of people? [Lawyers, auto
mechanics, nurses, policemen, etc? ]
There are going to be people in any of these groups that are: 1.) better
with people skills than others in the group 2.) More skilled in their
field than others in the group.
Are doctors held to a different [higher] standard than these other groups?
Maybe so. In all these groups we have certain expectations - we are
especially disappointed when we find that a policeman has been arrested or
a respiratory therapist smokes like a chimney.
People are only as good as the training they receive [and that includes
the training to keep learning new things]. Doctors deal with issues the way
they do because of their training. Their slant on medical issues is there
from what they've learned, by what they've been taught, by what they've
experienced - and by a desire to do what they think is medically correct
[ or through no fault of their own - medicolegally correct]
If you want the best for your car, you ask around and choose the best
mechanic. If you want the best for your self or your kids, then choose
the best doctor. [Or at least find one who will listen to you] Keep in mind
that what you want may not be something your doctor can comfortably do.
Refusing treatment [with informed consent, of course] is fine for an
adult or older teen, but is different when you are refusing for a minor
even if it's your minor.
If you don't want an iv or meds in labor, or your baby bathed, or to have
vitamin K or eyedrops, find some place to give birth that doesn't do that.
If you find that to do that you must give up having medical
"supervision" then - you certainly have the right to choose that. If that
does not work go back to the previous paragraph "see find good doctor"
and learn how to compromise.
It is difficult to see how people want just what they want from their
doctor and don't plan to accept input from their doctor in return. If
you accept that this person is a doctor and has had xyz years of
raining -and that is meaningful - then good. If that is not meaningful,
then why have a doctor in the first place?
A hospital is not the same as a supermarket - yet. It is set up with
guidelines, rules and procedures that may or may not be the best, most
desirable when applied across the board. That's where having a good doc and
good communication with a doc makes a difference.
One person's opinion is not always right no matter how strongly it is held.
This weeks example "I don't see what is so wrong about a few lines of coke
that these people try to come and take your baby away when everybody does
it" said the mom who disappeared for a few hours during labor - yes, baby
was born drug positive.
Here's more about my week: I've seen 2 babies this week born by c-sec
after a prolapsed cord - I hope they'll be ok. I do think it was
meaningful that the doctors had training - and I doubt that either mom had
anticipated this unfortunate turn of events.
Yes, there are rude doctors - as well as rude lawyers, rude auto
mechanics, rude nurses, etc.
Choose wisely.
Cranky, sick and tired in PA
Gail Hertz,MD, IBCLC
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