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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Turning Away Obese Patients (Customers) (Clients)


This is an interesting article in Natural News about Florida doctors turning away obese women refusing to take them on as clients.

You can read it here.

Here's my take on it.

1. It's bound to happen. Obesity makes it hard to pin point causes of health problems. Doctors who are sincerely trying to help someone can be accused unfairly for missing a disease.

2. The article specifically states there is a high risk of complications and death when an obese person undergoes surgery. The cost goes up for additional professional training, additional surgical supplies, equipment, etc.

3. Fat tissue synthesizes inflammation which damages organs. Fat tissue pumps out painful inflammation. Taking a pain pill is not appropriate treatment, it just covers it up.

4. It has been surveyed that most doctors do not address obesity with their patients probably because it is now considered a disability that needs protection under the law. Make a comment related to weight and a lawsuit could follow.

5. The average doctor is not a weight loss specialist and probably prefers to refer their patients to those who are specialists.

6. I used the words client and customer because doctors are also in business. Hospitals cannot turn away someone during an emergency, however doctors have every right to choose who they will work with. Patient may be a misleading term. The person seeking health care is still a customer. The doctor sells a service. The doctor can't sell everything. Doctors are not Walmart! Doctors do not sell cures either. Doctors provide a service. They serve. But the customer also has a responsibility to work on his or her personal health. If they lack knowledge, they need to find knowledge.

7. Obesity may be seen as an addiction. The addict has to make the decision to detox and get under continued treatment.

Just my views. This shows a serious problem with health care that won't be solved by changing the way we pay for health care (health care reform). I hate to see people suffer. We all do. The most important step we can take is in our own self care habits.

Chiropractic is not a treatment. It is a mind-set.

See you at the table...the adjusting table.

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