tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post6147634051602611723..comments2023-03-30T04:01:53.668-07:00Comments on Reflections of a Retired General Practitioner: The Rise of Coercive HealthismDr Henry Tegnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09066781800926576413noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post-32391408976714851592011-03-09T10:21:24.422-08:002011-03-09T10:21:24.422-08:00Of course I agree about the 'clear, simple and...Of course I agree about the 'clear, simple and accurate'.<br />And I would add: 'wanted'.Dr Henry Tegnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09066781800926576413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post-904154011197411712011-03-09T08:37:48.310-08:002011-03-09T08:37:48.310-08:00I don't have a problem with health advice bein...I don't have a problem with health advice being given - if it's clear, simple and accurate. Usually it isn't.Patsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post-5638539947715665502011-03-08T00:39:36.940-08:002011-03-08T00:39:36.940-08:00Many thanks to you all for your further responses....Many thanks to you all for your further responses. I have not myself smoked (it was a pipe) since I was a student. And my understanding is that most smokers take it up in their teens and that most smokers in their mid twenties wished they'd never started. That said, the job of doctor, nurse or whatever is to support and help their patients who are smokers either to give it up if that is what they wish or to give uncritical support if they don't.<br /><br />I was aware of smokers who avoided seeking health advice or presentingn with worrying symptoms just because they anticipated a judgmental or patronising attitude from the health professional. In a few cases the end result was disastrous.<br /><br />One of the best compliments I ever had from a patient was from a journalist from one of the tabloids who both smoke and drank heavily. He was starting to get heart and liver problems. "But I'm glad I've got <i>you</i> as my doctor" said he "because I know you won't have a go at me."<br /><br />And why would I have done? The man had a sight more wit than I and knew what he was doing. It was always good to see him.Dr Henry Tegnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09066781800926576413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post-45774927613919944242011-03-07T20:32:02.498-08:002011-03-07T20:32:02.498-08:00An excellent post and while i'm on the patient...An excellent post and while i'm on the patient rather than the Doctor side of the equation I concur with what you have said. I'm 68 and still a regular smoker. Now I know it's not good for me but I enjoy it and I'm damned if I will go to my grave with some bloody do gooder taking away one of the pleasures of my life. Down here in the colonies :) (Australia)we have a Government campaign that is enthusiastically supported by all the heart on sleeve types who are quick to sniff and the mere mention of tobacco. The nett result is that smokers in this country are increasingly restricted in where we can smoke. The latest affront to our freedom as citizens is to make it illegal to smoke in public Malls! To add insult to injury we are accosted by "heart rendering" adverts on television that are sickly sweet in nature. My pet hate is an advert depicting an "angelic" child telling her Father that he "should have been there" at a sporting event. The bloke is in a hospital bed being fed oxygen! What about the poor bloody man? If it were my daughter I'd probably disinherit her!<br /><br />I spent 40 years of my life defending this country as an Air Force pilot. I've been shot at, been in fear of my life on several occasions and lived in sub standard locations, now, besides not wanting to know about it they are also trying to tell me what I should and should not do. To hell with their programs, if I took them all on and didn't eat this, drink that or do the other thing I'd end up dying before my time from boredom anyway.<br /><br />More strength to you Doctor, give 'em hell!!!Grumpy 42https://www.blogger.com/profile/13457525949631590080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post-19057503805175645082011-03-07T10:59:27.867-08:002011-03-07T10:59:27.867-08:00One of the problems it that this kind of interfere...One of the problems it that this kind of interference often has no effect at all on those who might benefit from advice, and puts the fear of God into the suggestible. A nervous friend of mine, recovering from cancer, has taken on board every piece of advice she's been given, including not to drink milk if you've had cancer (?), and is making her life even more difficult than it already is.<br /><br />In response to the last comment, I would say that I have never smoked, but I think the blanket ban on smoking is ridiculous.Frances Garroodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10614916006798375706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post-34486440210525281942011-03-07T09:02:57.578-08:002011-03-07T09:02:57.578-08:00"There are people who strictly deprive themse..."There are people who strictly deprive themselves of each and every eatable, drinkable and smokeable which has any way aquired a shady reputation. They pay this price for health. And health is all they get out of it. How strange it is. It is like paying out your whole fortune for a cow that has gone dry"<br /><br />Mark Twain.<br /><br />Petr Skrabanek's book is next on my reading pile - it was recommended by a friend.<br /><br />Upon its receipt - a quick browse through its pages showed the above quote. How true it is.<br /><br />The doctor-patient consult has indeed become an arena for a perceived attack by the doc on the patients unhealthy habits - all to meet QOF? There is nothing more irritating than attending an appointment for something totally remote from smoking and being asked the same smoking question. The patient feels lectured.<br /><br />I am a nurse too and perhaps should know better - but I like smoking - but would never inflict my habit on non-smokers.<br /><br />Anna :o]hyperCRYPTICalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11967085628384237933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post-37711360543487312532011-03-07T08:09:27.306-08:002011-03-07T08:09:27.306-08:00Thanks for reading my rambling post, Frances, and ...Thanks for reading my rambling post, Frances, and nice to see that you understand the point I am trying to make.<br /> I always tried impress upon the many young doctors I taught that, unless their patient was unconscious or in any way not competent to make decisions for themselves, then they were not responsible for that patient's health. It is not only arrogant for a doctor to think he or she might be, but it represents the taking on of an impossibly heavy burden.<br /> Patients and doctors (and nurses of course) should share the decisions together. The health professional is there to give accurate and unbiased information in a way that the patient can understand and to help them come to decisions about their own lives that are acceptable to them. However, no patient should be put in a position of feeling isolated and alone at times in their lives that may be both difficult and frightening.<br /> I like to think that I worked "with" my patients and not "for" them. That was what made being a GP such a joy and a privilege.Dr Henry Tegnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09066781800926576413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4923220492791428392.post-3988991582974037822011-03-06T11:30:52.799-08:002011-03-06T11:30:52.799-08:00An excellent post. The inteference of the nanny st...An excellent post. The inteference of the nanny state is increasing, and as you say, we are all entitled to make our won decisions about potentially unhealthy habits. What no-one ever takes into consideration is the fact that someone who (for example) smokes, may cost the NHS money in the short term, but will save money in the long term (from pension to bus pass). I have got to the stage where if I'm told to eat, say, the famous five-a-day (who's idea was that), it makes me want to do the opposite.<br /><br />And I was a nurse for many years, and no doubt should know better...Frances Garroodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10614916006798375706noreply@blogger.com