Opinions aren't forbidden . . .
but imposing opinions/values on patients is.

What I feel about a patient's condition is not relevant to what say/do to them.
It doesn't even come into the conversation.

Could you imagine your doctor telling how he feels about each of your medical decisions? It's basically not his business.

I saw the problem with this guy's choice of words. That is all.
( Mrs Legless . . . belongs to, well, you know . . . :), Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:34, 3 replies, latest was 14 years ago)

I'm pretty sure that my medical decisions are exactly my doctor's buisness, as well as mine.
How would you word "It is riskier to have babies as an older woman" and "It is more complicated having babies as an older woman" ?
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:38, Reply)

Your decisions are his busniess - his opinions on them are not relevant . . .
but I'm happy to agree to disagree as I'm a little tired of making the same point multiple times.
( Mrs Legless . . . belongs to, well, you know . . . :), Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:41, Reply)

But as Al already said
that's not what he has done. he hasn't said to a patient in a consultation that he thinks they are selfish. He has offered an opinion at a general level in response to a question he was asked.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:41, Reply)

An opinion as someone who is supposed to have an educated and measured view on the subject . . .
Selfish doesn't sound particularly measured.
( Mrs Legless . . . belongs to, well, you know . . . :), Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:43, Reply)

No, selfish is a perfect description of what is happening.
If someone knowingly makes a decision that puts their self interest above that of other people who rely on them, that is selfish.

Selfish - concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others
(Bazongaloid, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:46, Reply)

Look, let's agree to disagree
I will not accept that sort of language is a proper way to address a difficult medical question, and makes the person sound less credible, and you don't have an issue with it.

And I need to sleep.
( Mrs Legless . . . belongs to, well, you know . . . :), Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:50, Reply)

Surely the only sensible way to settle this
is by arm-wrestling?
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:57, Reply)

God no . . .
Too tired . . .

How about rock/paper/scissors?
( Mrs Legless . . . belongs to, well, you know . . . :), Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:59, Reply)

Knifey-spooney?

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 13:10, Reply)

Of course it's relevant
a patient comes to you and says "I've got diabetes but I love eating pies and cakes, smoking 50 fags a day, and drinking a bottle of wine"

You're going to say "Ok, that's fine, your decision 100%, I have no opinion on your actions".

Or, as a sensible doctor, you would more likely say "Don't smoke or drink and eat less pies and cakes"

And they will say "But I want to keep doing all this, and if I die my 3 year old child will be an orphan"

You will continue to say "oh, fine, your decision 100%".

Or maybe "You're being a bit selfish putting your cake and pie needs before that of your child, the way you are going, you will die much sooner than you need to"
(Bazongaloid, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:43, Reply)

I probably wouldn't be telling anyone I'm OK with a bad decision
what I will tell them is the options for their health. If you do this, x will happen. If you do this, y will happen.

At no point will I insult someone if I disagree with them. "If you want to do the following to your body, - these are the consequences . . . "

What ultimately happens to a patient is up to them, except when something life-threatening happens.
( Mrs Legless . . . belongs to, well, you know . . . :), Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:46, Reply)

And as Gonz said, he hasn't insulted anyone either.
He's make a generalisation. Based on risks backed up by evidence.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:50, Reply)

So selfish is a term of endearment 'round your way
then?

Joking . . .


He's made a judgement on the personalities of a population, based on evidence (clincal and his own experience). Selfish is a adjective used to describe behaviour - he shouldn't be touching that argument in public at all.

And now I really am getting to bed . . . 'night
( Mrs Legless . . . belongs to, well, you know . . . :), Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:52, Reply)

You really should stop editting your posts after the even without noting the fact that you are editting them
It's very bad manners when trying to have a discussion with someone.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 13:14, Reply)

But.. but... but... PIE!

( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:47, Reply)

It's okay Davros, it's okay, it was only theoretical pie.
It wasn't eve theoretically nice.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:49, Reply)

Phew.

( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Tue 4 Oct 2011, 12:53, Reply)