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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jamal Spelling on December 19, 2007, at 17:24:02
Is your pdoc a junkie? How about your anesthetist?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22314486/
I don't think these doctors should be allowed to practise while undergoing rehab. Who wants a crack head performing surgery on you?
This link only runs in IE, because Microsoft cannot handle competition. Everybody boycott Microsoft!!!
Posted by Phillipa on December 19, 2007, at 21:19:50
In reply to Junkie docs, posted by Jamal Spelling on December 19, 2007, at 17:24:02
And they have the gall to say if we take a benzo or a pain pill we're abusers maybe they say it cause those are the abusers? I agree with you and know nurses can't practice unless under supervision but can't dispense meds. Phillipa
Posted by 10derHeart on December 20, 2007, at 0:30:56
In reply to Junkie docs, posted by Jamal Spelling on December 19, 2007, at 17:24:02
Posted by med_empowered on December 20, 2007, at 15:59:22
In reply to Re: Junkie docs » Jamal Spelling, posted by Phillipa on December 19, 2007, at 21:19:50
I think it doesn't really matter. I think docs need to give out more pain pills, stimulants, etc., but I think the problem is (mostly) the DEA, not so much the docs themselves.
Now, docs who are operating under the influence..maybe a problem. I don't think more supervision is the answer to the problem here.
Posted by Phillipa on December 20, 2007, at 18:27:41
In reply to Re: Junkie docs, posted by med_empowered on December 20, 2007, at 15:59:22
Let's play what if's. What if that doc needs something to help his own mental illness maybe a benzo to steady his hand when he cuts on you. Which you rather have? Just a what if.
Posted by your#1fan on December 21, 2007, at 1:05:36
In reply to Re: What if's » med_empowered, posted by Phillipa on December 20, 2007, at 18:27:41
AHHHH!! omg! phillipa! someone taking a benzo before a surgury. Excuse me, i would think the patient, not the DOCTOR! oh please. Did i leave those scissors inside the patient? Oh that right i took an Ativan! well thats in extreme case, but i would be scared if a doctor was on Valium...or something.
I would think something to keep alert! coffee!
Posted by Phoenix1 on December 21, 2007, at 9:43:43
In reply to Junkie docs, posted by Jamal Spelling on December 19, 2007, at 17:24:02
I agree with a lot of the responses to this. On the other hand, some of us have had substance abuse problems, and have felt strongly about the impact it would have on our jobs, and whether dismissal is appropriate for an employee with a substance abuse problem that is being treated.
A Doctor's judgment is affected by many things, aside from whatever drug they might be on. Mental illness/substance abuse should not be cause for revoking a Doctor's license. Perhaps their prescribing habits should be restricted or closely monitored, but we can't hold Doctor's to a higher standard than anyone else in my opinion. They are only human like we are, and feel the same pain and anguish that we do. They have the right to be treated for mental illness/pain and if it turns into a substance abuse problem, they have the right to be treated without being stigmatized. Just my 2 cents.
Phoenix
P.S. Read an interesting blog about a psychiatrist with BipolarII here:
http://trick-cyclingforbeginners.blogspot.com/
She's not a substance abuser, but it raises an interesting question. Are the mentally ill capable of treating the mentally ill? I believe that the answer is yes. And substance abuse in my mind is a mental illness.
> Is your pdoc a junkie? How about your anesthetist?
>
> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22314486/
>
> I don't think these doctors should be allowed to practise while undergoing rehab. Who wants a crack head performing surgery on you?
>
> This link only runs in IE, because Microsoft cannot handle competition. Everybody boycott Microsoft!!!
Posted by fayeroe on December 28, 2007, at 18:27:49
In reply to Junkie docs, posted by Jamal Spelling on December 19, 2007, at 17:24:02
I went to ER one night with a "stopped up" ear. My ex was with me and he is a surgeon with three specialities...but doesn't have the gene that recognizes when a fellow physician is impaired.
As soon as the ER physician started talking to me, I started backing up. He was high. He left the room to get the instruments and I told my ex that I was not going to let that man flush my ear out. I insisted that my ex do it.
My ex couldn't understand my being so emphatic about not letting the doctor touch me.
He came home the next week and said, "guess who is off to rehab?". I immediately told him that it was the ER doc. It was, indeed, the ER doctor and he was addicted to demerol.
For years nurses had total access to meds but now they have to enter a code and a computer tallies up what they take out of the locked case, what patient it was for and what size dosage it is. Cut down on abuse dramatically.
Unfortunately, physicians have a little more leeway in access to meds. The state of Oklahoma doesn't allow the physician to practice while in "rehab". They have to complete the program before they are allowed back at work. At least it was that way 10 years ago and I can't imagine it being changed.
I also saw a general practioner drink a martini lunch at the golf club where I played. After he finshed (he was paged) he announced that "I've got to go deliver a baby." I was horrified and told my ex about it. He was Chief of Staff at the hospital and didn't do anything about it. I wrote to the Medical Association in Oklahoma and he was suspended for one year.
However, that being said, there are more drunk and high drivers on the road than there are doctors that use drugs. There are more drug-using teens living in homes where they abuse their parents, parents that abuse and kill their children and spouses and criminal figures that stay high all of the time than there are doctors that use. The prison where I worked has more drugs in it than the doctors are using.
I understand how scary it sounds to say that a crack head doctor will do surgery on you, but I think our chances of being harmed by someone driving drunk or committing mayhem elsewhere is higher......
Examine every profession and you will find drug/alchol abuse. Check it out on some websites that offer statistics about drug use in the workplace.
This is the end of the thread.
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