Doctor Knows Best?

[emma1325]

I'd like to write a blog article challenging the modern notion that "doctor knows best," and I was wondering if you fine parents would help me brainstorm some ideas.

I'm trying to come up with ten or more examples of routine medical interventions (be it drugs, surgery or other procedures) which were eventually phased out and are now perhaps even frowned upon in the medical community.

I'm thinking things like aspirin for babies, twilight birth, and thalidomide.

Anyone willing to share their ideas? I'll make sure to post it when I'm done.

[emma1325]

Anyone?

:)

[chiromama01]

your idea certainly sounds interesting, but i wonder if you wouldn't be opening yourself up for criticism... obviously, hindsight is 20/20, so criticizing decisions that were made by people we/you likely cannot speak to, who made decisions based on research you likely won't have access to, feels like skating on thin ice.  Just my thoughts, I'll be looking forward to seeing/reading what you write.  If i've mistaken your intention, please forgive me! I'm not trying to be hurtful or rude, just putting my thoughts out there 

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by chiromama01 

your idea certainly sounds interesting, but i wonder if you wouldn't be opening yourself up for criticism... obviously, hindsight is 20/20, so criticizing decisions that were made by people we/you likely cannot speak to, who made decisions based on research you likely won't have access to, feels like skating on thin ice.  Just my thoughts, I'll be looking forward to seeing/reading what you write.  If i've mistaken your intention, please forgive me! I'm not trying to be hurtful or rude, just putting my thoughts out there 

Well you're right of course, hindsight is 20/20...and honestly that really is the point I'm trying to drive home.  We're perpetually in a state of learning in our society; however...it seems the public at large has been led to believe that "we've arrived," and no one should question the medical standard of care.  Instead of treating medical recommendations and interventions as the final answers, we should perhaps treat them like the work in progress that they are, and recognize the potential negatives which are destined to be recognized by the medical community after enough time has gone by (and a replacement has been identified and cleared for use).