Posted by yxibow on March 2, 2008, at 20:53:11
In reply to That's one way to look at it, but... » bleauberry, posted by Racer on March 2, 2008, at 15:10:27
> A few weeks ago, I had dinner out with my husband and my mother. My dinner was not satisfactory, so I sent it back. When it came out the second time, it was no better, so I sent it back again. As far as I'm concerned, that's an appropriate response to that situation.
>
> With health care, though, I think it's a bit different. I have some experience with medications, and have a pretty good idea of what is likely to be helpful for my psychiatric symptoms. I still defer to my doctor, though, because his education offers him a context in which to look at my treatment, which I just don't have. I may think I know what's good for me, but that doesn't mean that I understand all of the relevant aspects of it. All the reading I could do won't give me what he has, and that's why he's got the prescription pad and I don't.
>
> Sometimes the very symptoms we're seeking relief from make it difficult for us to recognize the larger view of our treatment. I think most of us would do well to remember that what we want may not be the very best thing for us. I, personally, would love a life-time supply of Percodan -- but that doesn't mean that it's in my best interest to get it. My current doctor would never prescribe high doses of Percodan to me, and I think I'd be foolish to fire him in favor of finding a doctor who would.
Exactly -- I would like a small supply of bupenorphine for pain, but my doctor is a psychopharmacologist, not an addiction specialist psychiatrist who has gone through special training for opiates and other pain blockers.If I want a consultation for that, it is my right to do so -- maybe the other doctor would have a better idea of the whole picture of medications and interactions and long term issues.
Psychiatrists without a special field are primarily trained in the use of psychoactive substances to help individuals. Some may have also undergone training in psychotherapy as well.
But would you want your p-doc to give you penicillin for an infection? They're not prepared for reactions and don't have all of your charts, no matter if they're an MD and can prescribe you pentothal and antivirals just because they have a pad.> What I'm trying to say here is that sometimes the very best, most caring thing a doctor can do is to say, "No."
True also.. its a fine line between choosing a second opinion and accepting the doctor's decisions (which should be collaborative to the extent possible, you aren't legally forced to do anything).
poster:yxibow
thread:815680
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080221/msgs/815839.html