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Re: The Unfortunate Demise of the Case Study in Medicine
Excellent piece, Terry.
Why don't urologists and oncologists spend some time studying PCa patient forums?
We, the PCa sufferers, have learned far more from such forums than we ever have from our consultants.
And because of what we have learned through so called 'anecdotal evidence' we are now in a position to thoroughly question any treatment plan being thrust upon us rather than eagerly accept (and deeply regret later).
Re: The Unfortunate Demise of the Case Study in Medicine
Each Monday as I go through the IMRT process, I meet with my Doctor right after the treatment and that is what it is all about.. Listening. We don't get very technical, but discuss issues, problems, direction and results. This last Monday was odd in that the tables turned a bit. The subject came up about my TURP and the Dr confided to me that he is facing the prospect of that procedure and the following 15 minutes or so were devoted to him asking me for advice and drection.
The conversation leveled the playing field and we both became mentors to each other. It very much humanized the process.
Re: The Unfortunate Demise of the Case Study in Medicine
Yes, Terry, I agree with George. An excellent piece.
I am just back from my one-year-after-diagnosis visit (My Story update to follow). I attempted to start a dialog with my urologist about how helpful your web site, and insight, have been. I no more than got out the words "I have found the web site run by a friend in Australia..." out of my mouth when he said, "You have to be careful what you read on the internet, you never know when you are talking to a pedophile." and he walked out the door.
Re: The Unfortunate Demise of the Case Study in Medicine
LOL- yeah the internet is all bad and you can never learn anything syndrome. Men are not capable of analyzing anything or sorting out anything on their own, they must be lead by an expert? When we look close alot of these 'experts' are biased, agendad and not totally well informed overall...maybe very good at their particular sales station in treatments (we would hope).
Dr. Strum helped make it very clear as to what the system shows us as 'experts' in many of his posts, writings, books and such. He has been proven right most often as I have witnessed in my many opinions and almost 9 yrs. of 'internet' and groups interaction. Dr. Strum just retired and mentioned that the collaboration theory amongest doctors is about nil from his skill sets, seems almost none of the local docs treating patients wanted to talk to him on behalf of their patients, whom wanted the collaboration effect. Everyone is supposedly all knowing and couldn't learn from someone like him whom have about 40 yrs. collectively in this area. You need to question everything and all the time, and get envolved in your own decisions...or be the door mat for whatever protocols. We can imagine how wonderful the US health care will become, it reflects the culture and society's thinking. We may be from the good old days at this juncture.
