[ ARC forum 2 ]

Cynic!

Written by Paul B. at 24 May 2003 15:49:13:

As an answer to: Re: Instructions written by Jim at 24 May 2003 07:29:02:

> Paul, would a competent doctor have performed the surgery on a young man who could have solved his problem without cutting?

Jim, doctors do what doctors do. Surely you know the aphorism in retail sales: The customer is always right?

It is very debilitating sitting telling people they don't need antibiotics for their common cold, while they protest they just have to get better for that important business presentation/ trip/ date/ visit tomorrow and will do anything to get better fast (as long as of course, the health insurer will be paying for it).

And in a consumer-oriented society, all the "PC" advice is, "if you don't like the doctor's advice, find one whose advice you do", so it is not as profitable to practice totally ethically.

So I must answer, if the patient wants to be cut, and it is accepted practice - and it is - then yes, it is competent. Not to give proper follow-up however - that is poor.


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