<Sadly the medical profession as a whole (not anyone in particular) is
generally not
very nice to other non-MDs.>

This was brought home to me on Friday.  An MD gave a very interesting
presentation on how his HMO was tracking appointments (he had made a
presentation earlier in the year with such bad results he has been working
hard on improving them).  Well, he spoke of the "General MD's" Nurse
Practitioners, and the "OB/Gyn" and of course the Pediatrician.  

When it was brought to his attention that the appointments for dieticians
for patients who have very high cholesterol or are diabetics can take over
2 - 3 months...he indicated that "well, they'll be on medications, so this
is not something we're monitoring."

Needless to say, the dieticians in the meeting (4 RDs) could hardly (but
did) contain themselves.  One luckily had studies to prove the importance
of an RD and the value in reducing complications of diabetes, etc.

I just bring this up to demonstrate that we are not the only group whose
value and services are truly misunderstood by many in the medical
profession - especially those who can actually make changes.  I could see
him saying " well, as the baby is eating OK with formula, it's not so
important to get him quickly to an LC!"

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA

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