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Old 08-26-2005, 01:35 PM
AGDee AGDee is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 15,853
I saw an interesting guest on CNN last night discussing this case. What she pointed out was this: If a doctor thinks his patient should stop smoking, he should suggest that they change their behavior AND give them ways to help them change their behavior, not say "You smell like an ashtray and men don't like that so quit smoking". But rather, "Smoking is very dangerous, leads to COPD, lung cancer, etc" and "There is a medication on the market that can help you quit, or there are numerous nicotine replacement methods you can try. Would you like a prescription for them or a referral to a stop smoking support group?". They address the actual problem, not the secondary effects.

So, when addressing someone who is overweight, a doctor could say "Your weight is at the point where it is unhealthy for you and I would like you get some nutritional counseling and exercise assistance. Here are names of people you can contact for this type of help" The doctor should address the behaviors, eating right and exercising, and offer solutions/treatment for them.

Ultimately, it is always the patient's choice whether they follow the doctor's advice or not. And, patients have choices about which doctors they choose to see again, in most cases. You are the doctor's customer and should be treated as such. Would you go to a doctor who tells you that you have a terminal illness by saying "Well, I hope you have life insurance" or "You do have a cemetary plot, don't you? Because you have to start digging your grave."
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