Jon Wilcox wrote:
>
> Ahmad Risk wrote:
> >
> > On Fri, 5 Jun 1998 21:38:01 +0000, [log in to unmask] wrote:
> >
> > >> I do not believe that doctors, let alone GPs, have the absolute right to
> > >> prescribe anything they want. We are just too ill informed. Thoughts please.
> > >>
> > >Agreed. This is the 'clinical freedom' bit everyone is getting so
> > >upset about.
> >
> > There is a big difference between freedom to "prescribe anything they
> > want" and freedom to prescribe what is best for individual patients.
> >
> > The former is only in the mind of an idiot, the latter is at the heart
> > of medical practice.
> >
> > The former is indefensible, the latter is under threat.
> >
> > Ahmad
> >
Surely the point is that we need to be responsible when spending
taxpayer funds but we can think of optimal management as a component of
"clinical freedom" (eg. patient with 10% 5 year CAD risk requesting
optimal treatment despite Government rationing) in treating individuals
providing they wish to pay for their own long term statins (for
example). I am quite sure many would.
Or maybe they would rather take a punt on the aspirin.
Hard to know if we don't ask them.
Patients over here are getting used to having to pay more and more in
the form of very substantial part charges for their "free medicines".
Indeed our job is becoming much more like that of Used Car Salesmen
than traditional docs.
Jon Wilcox
Auckland
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