Unethical practice on the part of medical professionals.

[ring]

Medicines can cure, but they can also kill. This can happen if the dosage is wrong, the doctor’s diagnosis is incorrect, or if there is severe adverse reaction of the drug used. No one knows this better than a physician. Yet, there are medical professionals who routinely and carelessly prescribe medications without even bothering to examine the patient properly or make a proper diagnosis based on scientific principles. So, don’t you think that the government should send out a clear signal to physicians that it would not condone such negligent, callous, unethical and unprofessional behaviour any more?

[scirwode]

I've seen this kind of thing happen so often over the years! With medicines, one Dr ordered my Dad a topical with iodine in it, and didn't even notice the big red "severely allergic to iodine" written in bold at the top of his chart and on his wrist band! My one daughter took her child in because she was ill: high fever, stiff neck, etc. When my Dr (a Dr herself) told the ped. Dr that their day care was shut down because one of the caregivers was out with meningitis, the ped. just ignored her. Checked the baby's ears, and that was it 'no ear infection.' Hello...viral spinal meningitis! Wouldn't you think that they would make sure and rule THAT out?! Yes, I do think that a clear signal should be given to physicians, as well as other personnel, that negligence should not be tolerated!

[banys]

I've seen this kind of thing happen so often over the years! With medicines, one Dr ordered my Dad a topical with iodine in it, and didn't even notice the big red "severely allergic to iodine" written in bold at the top of his chart and on his wrist band! My one daughter took her child in because she was ill: high fever, stiff neck, etc. When my Dr (a Dr herself) told the ped. Dr that their day care was shut down because one of the caregivers was out with meningitis, the ped. just ignored her. Checked the baby's ears, and that was it 'no ear infection.' Hello...viral spinal meningitis! Wouldn't you think that they would make sure and rule THAT out?! Yes, I do think that a clear signal should be given to physicians, as well as other personnel, that negligence should not be tolerated!

It is also the responsibility of the patient to stay informed, check their medication when it is dispensed and read the material that comes with it. If more patients were better informed there would not be so much damage from mistakes made by the doctor--they are not gods, they do not know everything. The government should stay out of it. Let the patients warn their doctors and watch out for themselves and their loved ones without government interference.

[delron72]

Of course, it is a bilateral phenomenon and so the patient must be stayed informed. But I think it is the responsibility of the doctor to inform the patient everything regarding the treatment, the plans of the treatment and the consequences of the medications and the disease process itself.

[eoforwic]

I, too, believe that the government should stay out of the matter. Currently the physicians themselves are supposedly policing the unethical and unprofessional members among them. But sometimes I wonder who is watching the watchers and think that should be us, the patients. We do have recourse in litigation but that gets carried to extremes at times. We, as patients, have the obligation to be responsible for our health and welfare to the extent that we should be aware of the medications and procedures available for our particular diagnoses. My physician has a notice posted in his office waiting room telling patients that if the patients have any doubts or questions to speak up. The doctor doesn't know our concerns unless we tell him.

[benon]

right on yoyo just what I was thinking we must not just sit like dumbies and not ask what this medication is for and what are the side effects. we must be proactive. its our health so why are we not safeguarding it?My doctor often says you have any problems tell me as I am not a mind reader. I had just remembered I felt I might have a bladder infection as he started to walk out the door.He said,so now you tell me. I will send the nurse into get a urine sample. He tested it and I was right so he prescribed antibiotics for me.

[clem84]

I understand that there are really some physicians who does that. Without thorough check-up and recheck-up, they prescribed or decided on something that they want to be done like operation. I think that it's not only the government's concern to do something but all of us. We can always be part when we report cases like that even if it's a small matter. This way, the concerned agencies will do their part in making investigations and if these physicians are aware, they will be more careful.

[calin]

But if the government sits idle, who is to bell the cat because people are usually unorganized, they are not experts in this field, so I think unnecessary chaos may be created if these non-experts are given the liberty to look into the activities of the medical professionals. So what I think would be better is strict vigilance of the government with active help and support of common people.

[abisha]

Steps from government side is very rare. It is people have to decide to which doctor they have to take the medicines. Most people in our country have the ignorance and many selfish doctors are using it. Some people have the thought only the doctors getting high fees would be the best in the town. That is very funny. But if people are having such thoughts they could not be saved by anyone.

[celeste]

doctordidi we the patients should not sit back and not be in on the orders and medications given to us. If we do not understand something or do not know what the medication if for or what side effec ts, my God we have to ask questions.You make it sound like all doctors are goofing up when most doctors are very careful and do c heck on their patients. I have bee with my primary care doctor for many years and have never had antyting bad happen. for one thing he explains why he iw doing certain things and what the medications are for and what side effects could occur.We as patients cannot afford not to ask questions and make sure we know that medication we are given and what it is for. Also be careful at the pharmacy as often they are very busy. One day I got my prescriptions and paid my copay. then did not check but just walked out. I do not remember what made me check the sack of medications but I opened it and none of the bottles had my name on them. they had a Mr.Thersaon's name of them so I hurried right back into the pharmacy and collided with a young man who was really upset.I got in line behind him. He said," look these are not my medications. they belong to a Mrs. uh um, Hatley". I tapped him on the shoulder." Are you Mr.Thersaon?' He said," and you must be Mrs. Hatley?" I smiled,"Got it, seems we got each others medications" so we handed the two sacks of medications to the pharmacist . He apologized, and made sure this time we each had the right prescriptions.It is not so much that all pharmacists are careless or all doctors careless, it is a fact the humn being can and do make mistakes. It is up to us as patients to open our mouths and ask questions. its our health and we must be proactive.