More ped talk - you may find it interesting that docs have this problem,
too.
(the subject edited out was food poisoning)
code = code blue - life or death emergency
> From: G Hertz <[log in to unmask]>

> Subject: health/safety-some people just don't get it
> Date: Friday, November 27, 1998 9:21 PM
>
>
> #4, MD writes:
> "I had a fairly enlightening experience recently which gave me some
> understanding into why parents frequently don't follow our advice about
> child safety (helmets, safety seats, child-proofing, etc.)...
> .... But, to her, the meat
> issue was "not a big deal".  Reminded me of safety talks I've had in the
> office with parents who "just don't get it".  Everyone has their own
issues
> they'll either believe or not believe no matter what we tell them or what
> statistics or studies we quote. "
>
> Dr. 4,  I know what you mean. One of  the big "take home" lessons I've
> gleaned from residency thus far is that while what you know is important
-
> it's being able to CONVINCE OTHERS OF WHAT YOU KNOW that is REALLY
> important (i.e.. at 3am "this child is on the verge of respiratory arrest
-
> I need xy&z and notify Dr. So&So please").  If it turns into a code by
the
> time people believe you, you've lost two battles, not just one.
>
> I think, in part, that people have such trouble with some health or
safety
> information because whatever it is that we're saying that shouldn't be
> done, has been so ingrained in their way of doing things that it is a
part
> of them.  No one likes to be a bad person or worse yet be "wrong"
> (physicians seem to have a particularly tough time with this) - but
> somewhere inside that mom you spoke to a little voice was saying "you've
> been putting your family at risk all these years and your mom put you at
> risk when you were growing up - what an awful thing for any mother to do,
> put her family at risk of food poisoning" - so that's just too negative a
> thing to incorporate into a self image so the dilemma is solved by
> rejecting the new information "that's not a real risk - or that doesn't
> apply to me"
>
> cont.:
> " If I couldn't convince a safety-conscious
> woman about the well documented potential dangers of food poisoning, how
> can I be expected to convince parents who have the "we all survived
> childhood" attitude about the importance of these other safety issues.
> Discouraging, but I'll keep on trying."
>
> It's the same way for me trying to provide up-to-date breastfeeding info
to
> established physicians - many feel that what they "know" is all they need
> to know - and they've been dealing with breastfeeding moms and doing
"fine"
> so why change now.  These are the same docs who are puzzled and
frustrated
> when women trust others sources over their "MD knowledge" - go figure!
>
> Gail S. Hertz, MD, IBCLC
> Pediatric Resident (R-2, halfway through)
>