Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

Good post gumbud. stevmk2

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

I agree gumbud... and I believe I have stated that. It's the patient's responsibility to be proactive in their healthcare and convey their concerns to their MD. It's also the patient's responsibility to ask questions and to know what they are taking prescription wise and WHY. Also to let their doctor know what other medications or supplements they take so he is aware of possible interactions. That said.. I STILL stand by my statement that a layman armed with a computer and a library card.... is NOT qualified to treat him/herself or give others advise... and in fact has a fool for a patient.

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

I think there is a cultural shift in attitudes towards the medical profession. As far as I can tell they're no longer viewed as magical demigods - patients are quite rightly far more investigative, challenging and critical.

I don't have a problem with individual doctors, nurses or health professionals generally - I'm sure they all mean very well.

I do have a problem with the massive medical industry - and the fact that the members of such an industry police and self-moderate - and attempt to perpetuate their sphere of cultural influence. That cannot be right in anybody's books.

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

I agree with Gumbud. I have had good and very bad experiences of being treated. I tend to adopt a "wait and see" approach to anything wrong with me these days - usually it goes away, or, if it doesn't, isn't life threatening. If I contracted a serious illness I would not accept the treatment without question. For instance, if I was told I had fairly advanced cancer I might not go for chemo, depending what the prognosis was.

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

I'll tell you what I DO have a problem with as far as the medical field goes... and that's over-diagnosis. I see folks in their 60's or 70's going in for treatment of one thing, and the next thing you know they discover some totally unrelated thing... due to the advancements in diagnostic testing. They find something that would most likely have gone unnoticed for as long as the patient is alive.. like a small slow growing cancer, and the patient would probably die of something else long before that killed them.. However, they are compelled to treat it and the treatment ends up making that persons life living hell, or ends up killing them

On the other hand.. no one knows that for sure so the doctor AND the patient opt for treatment. Because who wants to take the chance. But one has to wonder if it's worth it.

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

I do trust my GP but not particularly the hospital doctors,
I suffer with Atrial Fibrillation and every few months end up in A&E when I suffer an episode that may go on for 10hrs or more.

I was recently over medicated and passed out, electrodes attached to my chest and injections given to bring my pulse rate back up from a dangerous level. This took overnight stay in hospital to get back.

On being given discharge papers the next day, some of the medication was not entered and it said that the pulse dropped for a few seconds., injections not mentioned. I had a wordy fight to get an amended form sent to me, and my GP. What made me cross was the way the doctors banded together and treated what was for me something frightening, as nothing.

I'm afraid my trust and confidence has gone and I will query any treatment thay I may have in future.

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

That is scary - I don't have AF but sometimes get palpitations, which I know is not the same thing but they can be scary when woken up in the early hours. It would have been nice to have the doctors treat you with sensitivity.

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

AudreyII - I couldn't agree more. Pity there's no "like" facility on here!

I think over diagnosis, particularly when there's no really effective treatment - is pointless and anxiety creating. As you say - a small, slow growing cancer may not end up causing any problem in the person's lifetime - yet the treatment DOES!!

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

I believe a lot of this goes hand and hand with our over litigious society. Everyone is sue crazy, and I think doctors are inclined to cover their arses in case some relative wants to sue for them NOT treating something if it DOES present a problem later. So you really can't blame the docs.. it's our legal systems.

This may be where an informed patient.. and /or a patient advocate should draw the line.

Re: Doctors - do you trust them?

But stevmk2 you have just recently entrusted your good lady wife into the hands of the medical profession and their anesthesia team and the drugs needed throughout the whole procedure and now you say you don't trust them.