Oh my...I just read your situation above and feel so sad for what you had to go through. I wonder how doctors would feel if they or their family members were to go through what you did. They can "dish it out" but I bet they couldn't take it. I always wonder how doctors feel when we ask for a second opinion. Do they feel we are questioning their expertise? Or can they look at it as "two heads are better than one"? No wonder people are turning to the Internet, like signing onto this site, to better educate themselves before succumbing to any doctor's treatment suggestions and at times demands.

__________________
Sybille
“Think highly of yourself
because the world takes you
at your own estimate.”

Sorry you had to go through such an experience. Hopefully you recieved many private emails to help you cope and deal with this trauma. Interestingly, as patients we have the right to ask for second opinions. Doctors may not agree but they should comply.

Take care,
Richard Casas

Granted, all of us have the right to a second opinion, but not all doctors are created equal. I say this from personal experieince as I do work in a medical environment, primarily mental health.

Unfortunately, I find that there are some doctors who seem to think that no one should question their definitive diagnosis, especially with patients in their care. They either refuse to give a referral or "fire" the patient. I have always encouraged patients that they are the ones to "hire" their doctor of choice. If these professionals are unwilling to encompass an all around treatment plan for said patients, than it is any patient's right to "fire" that doctor. Especially is this so when a patient's religious convictions are not respected, primarily having to do with the desire not to receive blood.

I truly feel for patients who are in need of quality care and for some reason are unable to get this type of care. (especially with substanced induced disorders, NOS). Granted...a lot of it stems from the patient's perspective of how "quality" care is defined but not to refer someone for a second opinion or to somehow allow the patient to think that their treatment care is to be rigidly imposed does not bode well for the majority of doctors, nurses, or anyone else tied to the medical aspect of patient care who genuinely have their patient's health interest at heart.

I applaud any MD, DO, RN, PA, etc., who is willing to listen to the research a patient has initiated upon themselves and can incorporate, within their zone of treatment comfort, some of the suggestions offered. In this regard, I am quite fortunate to have a family physician who is willing to listen/learn that there could be another treatment avenue to be explored, especially when it comes to alternative healthcare. After all...total patient care includes the all around person and not just the physical symptoms being addressed. The spiritual aspect, especially the patient's belief regarding his relationship with his God, contributes enormously to the mental health of said patient.

I appreciate patience initiated when reading my response. Perhaps working where I do has allowed me to become a very strong, and sometimes tactless, patient advocate. I have always wondered whether I should apologize for this. The answer - "No." (At least, not yet.)

__________________
Sybille
“Think highly of yourself
because the world takes you
at your own estimate.”

Hi Sybille, Thank you for reviewing and commenting on the various threads on this forum. Thank you for being a moderater. I appreciate the way you professionally and tactfully have responded to various situations on this site. I only wish i could be as good with words as yourself.

My comments were directed at 21st Century Delores Doyle. She certainly had a negative experience getting the care she so desired.

I always encourage patients to excercise their patient rights but to be careful on how they communicate with the professionals who are caring for them. The last thing someone wants is to have MD's and staff hardlined against them because of communication issues.

In part here are some patient rights here at my hospital and no doubt federal rights.

1) Patients have the right to have considerate and respectful care and to be made comfortable. You have the right to respect for your cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, and personal balues, beliefs and preferences.

2) You have the right to effective communication and to participate in the develeopment and implementation of your plan of care. You have the right to participate in ethical questions that arise in the course of your care, including issues of conflict resolution, withholding resuscitave services, and forgoing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.

3) consent or to resfuse to a course of treatment.

4) request or refuse treatment, to the extent permitted by law. However, you do not have the right to demant inappropriate or medically unnecessary treatment or services.

5) reasonalbe responses to any reasonable reuqests made for service.

6) appropriate assessment and management of your , pain information about pain, pain relief measures and to participate in pain management decisions. you may request or reject the use of any or all modalities to relieve pain, including opiate medicaiton, if you suffer from severe chronic intractable pain. The doctor may refuse to prescribe the opiate medicaiton, but if so, must inform you that there are physicians who specialize in the treatment of severe chronic intractable pain with methods that include the use of opiates.

The bottom line is that patients and doctors need to work closely together to determine the best course of treatment for each patient and their particular circumstances.

Thanks
RC