KNOWLEDGE

ElectricFrank is really knowlegeable and claims that he understands the electronics in his pacemaker and spends a lot of time studying medical documents. I also have noticed that some doctors do not like it if you educate yourself and are able to make informed decisions about what and what not should be done. If I had not made a study of electrophysiology , I would not be in the good health that I now find myself in. Hospitals often "use" patients to speak to worried patients about their concerns etc. I cannot help noting that they chose patients who are "clueless" and not well informed. One of my neighbours with a pacemaker does it for our local hospital but he knows virtually nothing about the subject. I have volunteered but have never once been used and I have worked out why. Im far too knowledgeable for their liking.

2 Comments

Volunteers

by Smart Redd - 2008-06-11 11:06:45

Doctors want a live body that can reassure prospective or new PM/ICD recipients and calm their fear of the unknown. I don't believe they want want someone overly knowledgeable to assist those patients to take even more of their time because they have learned what questions to ask.

As many of us here have found (before finding this site) while discussing our medical options, not even knowing what to ask our doctors is a nearly universal problem.

Love, Red

Good observation

by ElectricFrank - 2008-06-12 01:06:12

Peter,
I agree with your observation. I've also tried to help people in our local community understand their pacemaker, but most just want the doc to make them feel better. Fear is such a big thing and all the doc needs to do is get that concerned sound in his/her voice and then are ready to do anything.
It may be just as well. If someone we try to help got into trouble or died we would be blamed.This is the great thing about this forum. We can suggest or question and people can decide for themselves what action they want to take. I certainly don't want to be just another "expert" that wants to run their life.

best,
frank

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