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From: Joe.Chamberlain....@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain )
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: doctors
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Date: 15 Mar 91 22:06:56 GMT
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[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 JC>         Doctors just don't seem to understand we feel pain, and,
 JC> the ones that recognize this fact really don't understand it, or
 JC> know any effective treatment protocols.  I tell my Doctor I'm
 JC> hurting, and he asks me what I suggest!  I can't suggest anything
 JC> we haven't already tried, and so he says he keep his eyes open
 JC> for something but not to hold my breath.

        I didn't like the subject title for this message thread
and therefore changed it.  One person's "bad doctor" may be
another person's "good doctor".

        The ideal doctor can change his 'bedside manner' to fit
each of his patients.  But this is not an ideal world and doctors
can't remember the personality of everyone he treats.

        To illustrate.  A doctor who heads up the SCI treatment
center in Orlando is, in my opinion, an overbearing, dictator,
who wants everything done exactly his way without exception.
But, he does a fine job teaching people with new injuries the
basics of survival after a spinal injury.  His approach is
justifiable.

        There is a doctor who treats children with orthropaedic
problems in Harrisburg.  Many of his patients have little chance
for improvement and he does his best and makes each one feel
loved.  He encourges the parents and prescribes the drugs that
will get them both through until the next visit.

        I think there are bad doctors, but not as many as there
are dissatisfied patients.  We as the patient have the
responsibility to choose a doctor which meets are needs.  We have
a responsibility to keep the doctor well informed and to
cooperate in our care.  We need to recognize that there are
limits to what medicine and doctors can accomplish.

        When a patient goes to the doctor for foot pain and then
goes out that night and does the 'country stomp' they deserve
foot pain in several areas.  When we sit for 19 hours in our
chair for few weight shifts, then we can't blame anyone but
ourselves for the resulting pressure sore.

        Bottom line.  Choose a doctor who has skill and who you
would like as a friend.

--
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