I agree with Pierrette, that continually attacking MDs and HCPs will not
bridge the gap between disciplines. However, I do appreciate (and
acknowledge the need for) a place where we can vent the frustration we
get after encounters with HCPs with less than current, compassionate or
flexible beliefs and behaviors. With the venting usually comes ideas and
suggestions from others on the list as to what has occurred in their
hospital situation to change behaviors and beliefs. I wish all the MDs
and HCPs we, as medical consumers, encounter were like the ones who
subscribe to this list - it would make the medical profession a much
better place.
    I have encountered many MDs and HCPs who epitomize the ideals of the
profession, usually they are the ones who have either suffered a major
health issue of their own or whose family members have had to deal with
a situation that illuminated some of the negative aspects of the medical
profession. I have nothing but the greatest respect for MDs and Nurses,
as my father was an MD and my mother-in-law is a nurse. I have
personally seen the hours they put in and the emotions that they feel as
they do their work. Living with my father convinced me I could never be
a DR., some of the less positive aspects of his work seemed to be to
great for an extremely emotional person like me. But my father was
extremely dedicated to his medical profession, still doing things that
many of his peers had discontinued (house calls, making hospital rounds,
etc.).
    I would like to see more seminars, classes, etc. on interaction and
how to improve interaction between medical disciplines. As part of
LLLI's Professional Liaison Dept. this is supposed to be one of my
strengths. As a medical consumer who just went through a three year hell
trying to get my health condition diagnosed and properly treated, I have
a dimmer view of MDs at the moment.
    I believe that, as has been stated in many posts, the key is
education. We need to start our education with young people, that
breasts are on the body for feeding the young and any other function is
cultural. We need to encourage our young to respect and desire
education, to continue learning all one's life. We need to teach our
young that life is precious and to be held in respect and value. And we
need to, as was also mentioned here, write to the HCPs, administrators
and the press when their misinformed or wrong information affects us. A
rational, clear and concise letter does more than all the venting,
ranting or lawsuits ever will. Laws protecting breastfeeding in public
would not be necessary if our culture did not believe that the breasts
function is sexual. That is a matter for education, not legalities. As
the law does little to change one's mind as to cultural beliefs.
Although until the cultural beliefs are changed the law may be
necessary.
    For those MDs and Nurses on this list - I salute you, you care very
much about your patients and prove it by participating in a list to
expand your knowledge and options. Unfortunately, as with our LLL
meetings, the ones who would truly benefit from this venue, aren't
participating.

Just my HO and .02 worth.

Leslie Ward, LLL, AAPL
Vine Grove, KY (where it is still hot)
mother to Kenric(22), Roxanne(19), David(11) and Sarah(9)
"I am doing something with my education, I'm raising my children!"