Overeaters, smokers and drinkers: the doctor won't see you now

[five_alarm]

NATIONAL - Health care is meant to be open to everyone equally. But some doctors question, even deny, treatment to those with certain vices. It's a touchy subject. So touchy that after an hour-long interview, one Calgary orthopaedic surgeon decides he wants to remain anonymous. From New Brunswick, where a surgeon recently cancelled an operation on a crippled man's leg, a Moncton Hospital spokesperson calls asking Maclean's to stop trying to contact the doctor.

At issue: health care for patients with self-destructive vices -- overeating, smoking, drinking or drugs. More and more doctors are turning them away or knocking them down their waiting lists -- whether patients know that's the reason or not. Frightening stories abound. GPs who won't take smokers as patients. Surgeons who demand obese patients lose weight before they'll operate, or tell them to find another doctor. Transplant teams who turn drinkers down flat. Doctors say their decisions make sense: why spend thousands of dollars on futile procedures?

Source: macleans.ca (http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/health/article.jsp?content=20060424_125702_125702)

[FFWannabe]

So much for the hippocratic oath! I suppose a lot of things go against this oath and considering it pertains to God's children and offers teachings "without fee or written promise" that it really doesn't relate a whole lot to modern day medicine. Becoming a doctor is all about preserving the health, well being and lives of patients... I guess maybe they feel this will force people to live better?? A little misguided to say the least... people become very protective of their bad habits and vices!

Sue :confused:

[hrecruit]

kind of agree kind of don't though you can't place a price on a human head. If it came down to me being realy healthy and making great decisions health wise. I would hope I'd get one up on some moron who smokes and drinks like a fish and pounds all kinds of drugs in himself.

[iamvff]

smokes like a fish
I have always said those damn smoking salmon are a bad influence on everybody!

iamvff :)

[dentedhead]

First of f I know I could be one of those pts one day,yes I smoke.However now that Mrs DH is well into her non smoking career. Or is it volunteer non smoking? I have been given the go ahead to try and give it up myself.Two of us at the same time would only result in some very bad things.

Some of these people being refused are at the very top end of vices,abuses whatever you want to call it.Take the hungry hungry hippo who crys foul because the orthopod wont give them a new knee. The old one gave out due to self induced anatomical stress at a younger than average age.A stress that could very easily be alleiviated by decreasing their trough time.There is a greater chance of them having joint failure during rehab.The surgery will also have a greater risk of morbidity as will any surgery on the obese.These ppl have been given carte blanche by the Dr.Phils and Oprahs telling them that they have a disease and its not there fault......bullshit.

I feel the same way about the smokers who try to say its the tobacco companies fault they have a disease, again I say bullshit.Most Dr.s will tell a pt look if you dont stop/start doing this then some serious issues will arise.If a pt tries....honestly tries the Dr will be there for them. Its the ones who show up cap in hand saying why didnt you warn me this would happen? Now fix it?After being told for years that that those cigarettes,drinks or drugs are going to kill you if you dont alter your lifestyle.

What about the Dr who refuses to perform an abortion because its against his beliefs even if the pt is at risk?Or the Dr that wont treat an ethnic group because he finds them offensive?Where does the hypocratic oath fit there?

While I dont agree with the wholesale refusal of treating pts based on their lifestyle.I think if a Dr has tried to make this individual well at the onset of their problem and the pt is non compliant.Bottom of the list for you.

Dentedhead

[BCFFFV]

Well said Dentedhead.....We live in a society where people expect some fancy pill to solve all their problems with no effort on their part. I'd be inclined to say that the responsible person who makes an effort to be healthy should get the health care before the people who slowly kill themselves every day.

[iamvff]

First of f I know I could be one of those pts one day,yes I smoke.However now that Mrs DH is well into her non smoking career. Or is it volunteer non smoking? I have been given the go ahead to try and give it up myself.Two of us at the same time would only result in some very bad things.

Some of these people being refused are at the very top end of vices,abuses whatever you want to call it.Take the hungry hungry hippo who crys foul because the orthopod wont give them a new knee. The old one gave out due to self induced anatomical stress at a younger than average age.A stress that could very easily be alleiviated by decreasing their trough time.There is a greater chance of them having joint failure during rehab.The surgery will also have a greater risk of morbidity as will any surgery on the obese.These ppl have been given carte blanche by the Dr.Phils and Oprahs telling them that they have a disease and its not there fault......bullshit.

I feel the same way about the smokers who try to say its the tobacco companies fault they have a disease, again I say bullshit.Most Dr.s will tell a pt look if you dont stop/start doing this then some serious issues will arise.If a pt tries....honestly tries the Dr will be there for them. Its the ones who show up cap in hand saying why didnt you warn me this would happen? Now fix it?After being told for years that that those cigarettes,drinks or drugs are going to kill you if you dont alter your lifestyle.

What about the Dr who refuses to perform an abortion because its against his beliefs even if the pt is at risk?Or the Dr that wont treat an ethnic group because he finds them offensive?Where does the hypocratic oath fit there?

While I dont agree with the wholesale refusal of treating pts based on their lifestyle.I think if a Dr has tried to make this individual well at the onset of their problem and the pt is non compliant.Bottom of the list for you.

Dentedhead

Well said as usual! I know of a guy in our area who had a heart transplant at about 70 years old, and it only took him 2 years or so to drink the new one into a grave. Someone who gives a sh!t could still be playin with there grandkids today possibly!

iamvff

[firelymie]

A few years ago I was working secruity with a friend of mine at a large outdoor concert, when we got the call to go help bring an unconcious person to one of the gates. We found him and brought him over he had a good time and smelt like a brewery. As we handed him over to the medics his girlfriend/wife was screaming to be gentle with him because he had just had Kidney transplant. The smart poeple are never hard to find!!!

[brutus]

These ppl have been given carte blanche by the Dr.Phils and Oprahs telling them that they have a disease and its not there fault......bullshit.


Dentedhead


Well put. I agree with this statement 100%. People are refusing to take the responsibility for what they do to themselves. Dr. Phil... loser its ok that your overweight... bla bla bla..... give your head a shake Dr.... no it isn't...

This so called epidemic will have extreme consequences in the future.

Hell how many kids nowadays never see the outdoors, unless it is in a video game. Todays lifestyle for many is outrageous.

I hate to say it, but I agree with some of these DR. Why would I give this morbidly obese individual a new knee when they simply won't do what it takes to keep it or themselves healthy.

I for one am sick of all the excuses, just shut up and do something about it. Wieght loss is entirely within the individuals control....