Vitamin, Mineral, and Herb Ban

James has answered the thalidomide point already, Dom. However, you have to remember that you can NEVER take all the risks out of drugs. Human beings are incredibly complex machines and individuals to boot, so complete certainty of treatment is out - there are just too many variables in the equation. A given drug may cure 999 people but have fatal consequences for person No. 1000. If you're looking for 100% security in this life, you're out of luck. Face it, you smell a rat because you want to smell a rat.

Perhaps you want to do so because of the unfortunate experience you described. But is that of itself a good reason to condemn the whole of medical science? Are you perfect? Do you expect perfection of those around you? If so, we want to know your secret and your future wealth is assured. If not, why do you expect it from the medical profession?

Doctors can also make mistakes - it would be nice to think that they didn't, but they do, because they're human, just like you. However, I'd be prepared to bet that, on a statistical basis (which is the only meaningful way to comprehend these things), they don't make that many. People expect more from a profession where health and well-being, and perhaps even life and death, are involved, more so than they do from, say, the garage mechanic or the plumber, so mistakes make more of a mark on people's memories than do a kitchen full of water or the electrics packing up in the middle of the rush hour. They have a right to expect more, and my impression is that they generally get it. Sorry, but the fact that you're down on the whole business based on a statistical sample of one strikes me as irrational.

 

Switzreland has much better healthcare than UK. You don't know our NHS system and cannot see it's failings. Switzerland doesn't need to send patients abroad.

 

Perhaps so (but bloomin' expensive!!). But you're right, I can't comment on the NHS, because I have no experience of it. But I'm sure James can. But I would find it hard to believe that UK doctors are any less conscientious, caring or competent than doctors elsewhere.

 

It doesn't matter whether they have those attributes or not if you can only find a surgeon for your condition aborad or your waiting list is 2-3 years long.

 

Doctors are just business men

Tones

4 years ago, I fell off a step ladder and dislocated my shoulder. I was sent to the hospital to have it put right.

After it was done, a specialist told me that I would need an operation and the waiting list was 2 years. I then mentioned that I was covered by medical insurance and his secretary telephoned me to fix up an appointment. I literally chose a date to fit in with my dairy.

That doctor let me jump the queue because of the £ notes. They are businessmen, pure and simple. I do not blame them but do not think of them as caring.

Regards

Mick

 

I have had some remote experience with that aspect of the NHS, Mick and BB. My mother (79) needed a hip joint replacement, and my brother and I chipped in to let her go private. As you say, the waiting list was 2 years, in which time she would have been crippled. Instead she's running around like a mountain goat and worrying my brother to death that she'll overdo it. That is definitely one side of the NHS that needs fixing up, but that is government neglect, rather than any fault of the medical profession. I guess shooting up Iraq is a better vote getter, even if more expensive. Thank heaven for boring neutral countries.

 

Tone

The surgeons perform the operations privately because it is very very lucrative. I do not blame them as I would do it myself but the point I am making is that most of them enter the profession for the money. Mercenary they are, caring they are not.

Regards

Mick

 

I think calling them mercinaries is a bit harsh - there's no way you can see the suffering and pain that doctors see without it having some effect on you. I'd be amazed if all doctors shut this out and became the cold, calculating machines a few of you suggest. I'm sure some do, but I'd guess them to be in the minority. The majority must be caring people or they'd get out of the profession - having to have a reasonable, if not high level of intelligence, I'm sure they could turn their hand to an other, resonably lucrative job.

 

There is a balance, known as professional detachment. I went into medicine because I thought it would be interesting, not for any other reason.

I am not allowed to do any more NHS work than I do because extra work done by me costs the Trust extra money - and I don't mean my salary, before you all ask. The problem the NHS faces is the fact that in this country we only spend about 7% of GDP on health IIRC, compared with 10% and more in other comparable countries. So stop whinging about it and start paying for it, you ungrateful sods.

PS I didn't mean that dom smelt of rats, I meant he smelt many rodents.

 

Sorry James, but I beleive you went into medicine for the money, not because you found it interesting.

There are IMO only two reasons for getting into medicine. One is a deep caring for humans that are suffering the other...money!

That's the problem with society today, most people are in the wrong jobs, they do these jobs for money and not because of a genuine love for their chosen proffession. Hence the poor quality of service in many proffessions.

Barnie.

 

I think you're wrong Barnie and it's a very cynical and depressing view of the world to have. You should have more faith in human nature.

I nearly went into medicine myself and it was out of pure interest. I thought it would be fascinating. The money didn't even come into it. At that stage (just before uni) I didn't have a clue how much doctors earn anyway.

It's a long story but I ended up working in IT (I'd been a computer geek since I was about 11) so it wasn't a random choice and, yes, I do earn a lot of money from it but I love it aswell. I often say that my job is like a hobby that someone pays me to do

Michael.

 

Hi Nico!

Howya doin'?

You may be mistaking me for someone who cares what you think - about anything at all!

Cheerio!

 

That's a fine position to be in, but my point is how many people do you know that could say the same?

Barnie.

 

Yes my point exactly James! An uncaring Doc......and why do you ask how I'm doin, when you then state you don't care?

 

When all is said and done...

Aren't we all a bunch of little bitches?

 

I hope you are well, Nico.

But I don't really care what you think about my motivation to study medicine.

It takes years before the big bucks arrive - dentistry would have been a better choice, not to mention banking/stockbroking/drug-dealing/etc - and it's hard work on the way.

 

But you are a licensed drug dealer or hadn't you thought of that?

 

Yeah I suppose I am. Hurrah!

 

BTW, I am reminded of a story I was told about someone's interview at my med. sch.

"Why do you want to study medicine?"

"I want to help people"

"Prostitutes help people, have you considered becoming a prostitute?"


Tears, and a swift exit. She wasn't offered a place.