KB> There are many, many strange habits in American doctor-patient
KB> relations, many of which could change for the better.
Agreed…..and, admittedly, that goes for *both* sides
KB> (I’m aghast whenever I hear of these 4 a.m. "emergency" phone
KB> calls about a stuffy nose. The thoughtlessness of skipping an
KB> appointment is one thing, but whatever considerations went
KB> through the 4 a.m. caller’s mind are completely beyond my
KB> imagination.)
Hehe, thanks for seeing that. If you want to see it at its worst, try
hanging around a military emergency room *after* TV prime time and
watch the "emergencies" walk in the door.
Unfortunately, the second level of abuse in my personal experience
comes from Medicare patients, who do basically the same thing with
civilian ER’s……and are extremely intolerant if the ER Doc dares
to delay treatment of their week old skin rash to attend the 80 year
old with chest pain.
On the other hand, the points made on the echo regarding the abuse by
doctors of *patient* time seem very valid to me. The only poetic
justice I can cite is that when I (now as a military retiree) crank
myself into the appointment system anonymously, I get the same treat-
ment…..and it’s no fun.
H. Hoffman, MD
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In a message of <11 Aug 90 15:35:30>, Barbara Akin (1:114/15) writes:
BA>I’d like some help here. Does anyone here know of any support groups
BA>for women who have contracted a sexually transmitted disease? I am
BA>looking for groups that would be empathetic to women who have been a
BA>"victem" of someone elses wrong choices. The particuular situation here
BA>is that the woman I discribe has a spouse who chose to fool around. He
BA>then came home, and had sex with his wife, and thus, infected her with
BA>genital herpes, type two.
BA>She lives in the state of Pa. Any help you could give would be much
BA>appreciated. Thanks
It sounds like your friend has more than one issue going on. I have heard of
Herpes support groups, but they aren’t as popular as she used to be. A big
question is whether your friend lives in a rural or urban area. If your
friend lives in an urban area, it might be a matter of just making a few
inquisitive phone calls (starting with the doctor that treated her for the
herpes, if nothing else).
But, I wonder if what is troubling her might be the more general issue of her
husband’s infidelity and her resentment at being a rather direct victim of
what was beyond her direct control. Any good psychologist (that she is able
to develop a good therapeutic rapport with) can help her sort this out. If
her medical situation (diagnosis, treatment and education concerning genital
herpes) is pretty much under control, a psychologist, or a group therapy
situation under the direction of a psychologist might be a more direct route
to her problem.
Of course, peer support groups have also been good choices for some people (as
you suggest), but if she does not have this option, I would not hesitate to
suggest that she seek help from a psychologist or any other mental health
professional.
Richard DeWald, BSN Student
Univ. of TX – Austin.
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