[ ARC forum 2 ]

Force?

Written by Paul B. at 30 May 2002 12:19:41:

As an answer to: Re: please read AJ written by mp at 27 May 2002 10:08:27:

> I've clearly said that I'm stretching! I'm surprised that YOU would call that being an AJ clone.

I think he's criticising your judgement in defending AJ more than anything else.

> See a doctor, or in this case a UROLOGIST, whenever you have a medical problem.

Again, that is perilously close to AJ's favourite riposte. In particular, it demonstrates the misunderstanding that a "urologist" would necessarily have useful experience in this matter. The point is that urologists are primarily surgeons who quite deliberately avoid taking responsibility for medical management (that is, drug or other non-surgical treatment). An obvious example is the treatment of prostate cancer by chemotherapy - this is (quite rightly) referred to an oncologist instead.

Specialists are by and large referred cases after triage - it is their expectation that both the referring doctor and the patient send patients for surgery, and only for surgery. There is a major anomaly in the American (and third world) medical system whereby people present to such specialists direct, which may well account for the peculiar behaviour of American "specialists". A good generalist ("family physician") on the other hand sees a wide range of problems, and a wide range of severity, and is in a better position to know what and more particularly, when treatment is needed.

> He cannot force you to have circumcision!

But that's the problem. You are in a somewhat unusual situation, having researched the problem independently and obtained superior advice - this really is a "specialty" field for many contributors here who actually have more expertise in this particular matter than most (US) "urologists", believe it or not - you can choose alternatives.

However the "average punter" going to the doctor has no idea at all, and if the "specialist" says they need a circumcision, that they do. Now, you may argue the semantics of "force" or duress, but most jurisdictions would quite rightly call it so.


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