http://s.nyt.com/u/HIe (story about a palliative care doctor who died)
http://s.nyt.com/u/HEJ (on a controversial new HIV treatment strategy)
http://s.nyt.com/u/HEJ (on a controversial new HIV treatment strategy)
http://s.nyt.com/u/KJN (doctors and politics)
http://s.nyt.com/u/Kqk (on whistle-blowing)
http://s.nyt.com/u/Kqk (on whistle-blowing)
Comment on one or more stories here.
No matter what your political opinion, this article will have you frustrated one way or another. This article is about a urologist who makes it clear that he doesn't really want to help out Democratic patients because of his disagreement with the new health care bill. He has a sign posted basically telling Democrats that they're not welcome.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Dr. Jack Cassell does say that he will help Democratic patients, because it would be unethical if he doesn't, he just would prefer not to. This to me is an acceptable practice, even though its something I do not personally agree with. He has every right to post his own personal opinions in his own office,like it or not. If anything, I think its good that he is making his feelings known so that patients can go elsewhere for assistance from a better person.
This guy really pisses me off... get it?
When I read this article I will be honest and say that it made me laugh. It is not very often if at all you see someone put such a public political opinion like that, especially in a place of business. I can see both sides of this isssue. I think my first instinct is to say that it is wrong, becuase regardless what your political oppinion you should be treated in the heatlh care field the same, as well as the rest of the world. However, I agree with the comment above in that I admire that he had the guts to put that sign up and let people know how he truely felt. I think it is a huge risk in possibly pushing patients away. Would he have put the sign up in anger of the health care bill passing? Does that health care bill passing affect him? Maybe these are reasons why he posted the sign. Or maybe he is tired of people coming in and talking about how they are glad the bill passsed. Who knows. All I know is I would not change my doctor because I found out he put a sign up opposing someone that I liked as in this case. (Not saying that I like Obama).
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the story about Dr. Pardi its easy to see where Dr. Pardi is coming from as a patient. At age 40 in the prime of your life no one wants to say okay thats it I'm done. But as we look at her life its almost a double edged sword because she is also the palliative care specialist who held many patients hands and told them that it was time to go. Not many doctors or people for that matter have that responsibility, the criticism comes then because many will not sepearate the two persons doctor and patient but will combine them, which is neither fair to Dr. Pardi's memory nor her family. You can say something all you want but until you are put into that situation and you have lived and walked it, it does not matter...
ReplyDeleteI read the article about Dr. Pardi and found she was an extremely strong individual. It would be hard for me to be one of her patients because I would feel like she was trying to tell me something she didn't believe in. I would feel like it was a "do as I say, not as I do" situation which would bug me. That is just my personal preference. I think her continuing to work is very admirable and many patients probably liked her as their doctor. I would probably have choosen the same route she did, especially at her age. I just wish she could have gone with less pain after everything she endured.
ReplyDeleteDr. Jack Cassell took a big risk when he posted the sign on the door of his office. The urologist's sign says to seek care elsewhere if you voted for Obama, but nowhere on the sign does he say he will not treat them. In an interview he even states it would be unethical to deny them treatment. I can see where the new health care bill would affect him and his practice, but I think that the sign he posted on his door will affect him more. It did surprise me that he had people passing by supporting him and his statement, less surprising were the people who were outraged by it. Despite my political stand point, I think if I saw where my doctor had done something along the lines of this, I would seek care elsewhere. My health and treatment should have nothing to do with political opinion and I don't think the two should be mixed.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the article about Dr. Pardi I did not think that she was a hypocrit, but I thought that she has always been a strong person who never gives up so why should we expect anything different in her death. Yes she was a pallative care doctor who everyday told patients to basically accept that they are dying and to make themselves as comfortable as possible. Now I am a very strong supporter of hospice but If I had a personality like Dr. Pardi I could understand how it would be hard to just stop trying any possible treatment that could possibly save my life.
ReplyDeleteWhen Dr. Cassell put the sign up on his door saying to seek treatment elsewhere if you voted for obama, he wasn't crossing any boundaries, he was just putting his practice in jeopardy. He probably offended a lot of his patients and lost their business. I can't say that what he did was wrong because it was completely within his rights to state his own opinion at his business. I just don't think it was a smart business move on his part. However, if he feels that strongly about this issue then he has a right to let people know. He wasn't saying that he would refuse to treat them, just that they should seek treatment elsewhere. I don't agree with Dr. Cassell's decision to hang the sign, but there's really nothing that can be done about it.
ReplyDeleteThe article on Dr Pardi was very interesting. She was a pallative care doctor who couldn't practice what she preached. I think it's easy for us to judge her and how she handled her situation. I work at a hospital and see situations where the patient's body is worn out, but either the patient or the family refuse to see this and keep pressing for more to be done for the patient. Sometimes it is hard to accept that there isn't anything else to be done and unless we're personally in that situation, it's easy to pass judgment.
ReplyDelete(whistle-blowing)
ReplyDeleteJeremy Gruber makes an interesting point when he says that "regulations 'have not kept pace with the explosion of research.'" This is often the case in science. The History Channel was saying the other day that when X-rays came out, people could X-ray their feet for fun to see how well new shoes fit. Mrs. McClain's case should be taken very seriously, especially for its broader implications.
I do not have any harsh feelings toward Dr. Pardi, I think she was doing a noble thing in trying to help patients to accept death, but I do not think that it is necessary for her to follow the same course of action. Everyone is different and to her she was not ready to give up the fight. She has a right to do with her body as she wished as I am sure that she respected the same right with her previous patients. While yes it can be seen as hypocritical not everyone can accept death.
ReplyDelete