[pa-l] TCM v WM DIagnosis - and why it could be crucial

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In a message dated 9/28/2004 10:35:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

KarateStan writes:

 

In a message dated 9/27/2004 10:22:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,

writes:

 

My questions to experienced TCM clinicians are:

>

> (a) How long do you WAIT before referring patients with such

> symptoms to a specialist in neurology / oncosurgery?

>

> (b) In what circumstances would you TCM Tx for a few weeks /

> months before referral to WM specialists? Phil

 

 

 

Phil,

My question to you is, to send the question to the MD's, how long before

they will send a referral to a DOM?

 

The list to way to long to tell of all the things I have seen just this

year. Drugs that are contraindicated with the other drugs they are on, Blood

tests that give the clues but are not seen, surgeries scheduled for joint

surgery

when injection therapy solved the problem. Would you like to see a list of

the number killed in hospitals?

 

 

I think Phil's question is a much better question for us. Given we are

taking a bigger piece of what was the MDs salary, and the fact that as an

industry, WM would generally like to sweep any challenge to their superiority

under

the carpet, we operate under continuous threat of legal attack.

If it is determined that APs have " negligently " failed to refer to a

" real " Dr., and it cost life or suffering, then we may be legislated into

oblivion

and in addition be made to look like fools. More importantly, since the

media does such a great job of programing the thought process of viewers,

" People

who go to us may be made to look like fools. "

We all know of horror stories of what WM had done to patients. That

isn't the reason for the question.

 

I believe what Phil is attempting to do is get us to think about disease

processes that we may miss that could be defined by WM and may save lives and

in the end, maybe our livelihood.

 

In my practice, it is part of my system to ask when they last saw their

DR and if they have discussed their symptoms with them. If I have any question

of a potential problem, I recommend that they do talk to their DR about it.

It is wise to document on your intake sheet that you have done so.

 

I think it is wise to support the patients responsibility in their own

health care and recommend second opinions whenever there is a question. There

are so many life threatening medical situations that people are living with.

If you do not have a very liberal referral protocol, it is my belief that you

are throwing the dice hoping to maintain a string of good luck not only for

yourself, but your patient.

 

My two cents,

 

Chris