I also have mixed emotions when I read all the doctor bashing on lactnet and hear it at LLL meetings. Here a few of my comments. It took me 12 years to complete all my training, likewise for other specialist. I find it hard to believe physicians spend all this time in training to *hurt you*. There are much quicker ways to *get rich* and quicker ways to get credentialed to serve the community without creating a $100,0000 debt. At least when we get started with school I feel that many doctors do want to *help people*.(just like LLL leaders) I don't know what happens along the way to many physicians but I still get alot of personal satisfaction serving the community. Many of the procedures all of you oppose are government regulated.(in the USA) Instead of attacking doctors for the eye drops,bathes, vit k etc. Maybe it it is time to blame the legal system for influencing the way doctors practice and get these laws changed. When these regulations went into effect they were for the benefit of many. As times change, we need to update the laws and then medical school education will also be influenced. Insurance companies also try to influence my decisions and write protocols for me to follow. Take your battles to them. Several times I have thought of suggesting to a local doctor or residency director to have residents attend LLL meetings or read lactnet. I would be embarrassed though if my physician colleagues did get bashed when they went to a meeting or got on lactnet at my suggestion. I don't know how any of you can get physician support if you continually bash them. It is one thing to discuss the lack of physician knowledge about breastfeeding and how to improve medical education. But to start bashing all physicians in all areas of specialty should be kept out of this discussion. I also realize that this is a forum for support and a place to ventilate. Perhaps someone with positive experiences with the medical community could share some stories to balance the discussion a little. When a patient comes to my office I assume they want to know what I have to offer. And that is what they get. If the wanted to hear what herbs and vitamins and alternative therapies to try I can try to lead them in the right direction but may not have much to offer in my office. Sometimes a patient prefers not to have a treatment and it is reasonable to hold off, and it is ok with me. Other times it is really hard to see someone refuse treatment, and to see the prolonge suffering when I have something that could make a difference. In my practice common situations are bronchodilator treatment for wheezing, nicotine cessation prescriptions, antidepressants. The people who refuse treatment are usually not the well informed lactnet types. They are often patients that don't put their health as a priority. I have also wanted to comment on all the rewards I supposably get for writing prescriptions. Where are they. Maybe in the past year I have gotten two really nice dinners at the expense of loosing valuable family time, so I don't go very much. I was also invited to a day at a central florida theme park. This was the only trip I was ever invited to. That was not my favorite park . The very same weekend I went to a different tourist attraction at my own expense. Several lunches are brought to the office a month.Big Deal, but I do agree with you that all the antibiotic reps want to *brainwash me*. Among sales reps I have a pretty tough reputation. Writing prescriptions is a privilege and I take it seriously. I do not make any direct profit from writing prescriptions. On the other hand, If I (sold) dispensed megavitamins or herbs from my office it seems like the direct profit would be much greater financially to me then writing prescriptions. Please let me enjoy the rare free lunch. I will try to refer my vitamin/herb seeking patients to reputable private sources. I hope my mixed feelings towards physician bashing is taken well, broadens your perspectives and helps to improve physician/IBCLC/LLL leader relations. Denise Punger MD FAAFP Hobe Sound,Florida Still nursing William 3 1/2 and Scott 1 1/2 so I may be slow responing to your questions http://doctor.medscape.com/denisepungermd ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com *********************************************** 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