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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fachad on April 2, 2002, at 23:35:42
I really appreciate Dr. Kramer being our guest psychopharmacology expert. It sure has stirred up a flurry of posts. More, I'm sure, than Dr. Bob or Dr. Kramer ever expected.
But I think we really need to appreciate something about Dr. Kramer's position. He is a physician, a professor, and a columnist. He's not our personal free Internet pdoc.
I don't mean to be abrasive or accuse anyone here, but we're all acting like he is our own personal pdoc.
Think about it for a minute. He CANNOT POSSIBLY recommend medications to someone he has never met or seen in a clinical setting. He has never met any of us, never talked to us, doesn't know our history, couldn’t even pick us out of a police lineup!
It would be irresponsible and foolish for him to tell anyone here what meds to take. He keeps saying things like "you need to talk to your pdoc about that" and then someone blasts him for not "knowing" the answer. I'm sure he has an opinion on it, but HE CAN'T SAY IT because he is posting AS A DOCTOR.
The rest of us can just freely spout off our opinions - we have plenty of them - and it's not really unethical or improper because we all know that we are all full of it, and as PEERS we take each other’s advice with a grain of salt.
But if "the expert doctor" made a recommendation, and it was taken as medical advice, it could have disastrous consequences. So please don’t interpret Dr. Kramer’s reticence to provide specific advice as a lack of knowledge or expertise. Rather, see it for what it is – responsible professionalism.
I think it would be much easier for Dr. Kramer if we asked GENERAL type questions, rather than asking for specific medical advice.
Instead of asking,
"Dr. Kramer, should I quit Zoloft, which is not working anyway, and start Remeron instead?"
you could ask,
"Dr. Kramer, have you found Remeron to be effective in cases where Zoloft has failed?
or better yet, you could ask,
"What pharmacological properties of Remeron might account for it being more effective than Zoloft in some cases?"
That way, it's a general question, and not medical advice. He would probably feel much more comfortable, and would likely be much more generous about sharing his expertise and knowledge if we ask questions in that fashion.
I think we can get the most out of the time with Dr. Kramer on board if we respect his position, and ask him questions in a way that he can feel good about answering.
Okay, I'll step down from my soap box now.
Posted by dennison on April 3, 2002, at 2:03:01
In reply to Be Realistic and Respect Dr. Kramer's Position, posted by fachad on April 2, 2002, at 23:35:42
Hi fachad -- You are right of course but - If you go to the very beginning of the section ,where DR.Bob --states that DR. Kramer has agreed to visit the forum and answer posted ?'s - There is a very well written, clear and concise """""""Disclaimer"""""" - Which basically says DR. Kramer is using his knowledge to offer helpful suggestions- that forum members might explore with their physician -- .....................................................................Sometimes just a few words of encouragement that alternatives do exist or that what you are presently doing is indeed a sensible approach can reassure someone or potentialy enlighten them to something they simply were unaware of. ------------------------------------Just thought I'd mention the disclaimer--afterall without it- nothing of any substance could be said. :):):) OK nuff about diclaimers - back to the """ forum "" :):):)
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 3, 2002, at 2:20:36
In reply to Be Realistic and Respect Dr. Kramer's Position, posted by fachad on April 2, 2002, at 23:35:42
Why doesn't Dr. Kramer change his screen name to 'The Kramer' or anything else that doesn't include the title Dr. in it, or to something that reveal his identity as a medical doctor, & then he can dispense all the medical advice he wants, whether it is irresponsible/dangerous or not, just like the rest of us who for the most part have no medical training & have not gone to medical school, or I suspect even high school in some cases.
Posted by Zo on April 3, 2002, at 2:37:49
In reply to Re: 'The Kramer', posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 3, 2002, at 2:20:36
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 3, 2002, at 3:20:04
In reply to Re: 'The Kramer', posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 3, 2002, at 2:20:36
Posted by colin wallace on April 3, 2002, at 3:44:34
In reply to Be Realistic and Respect Dr. Kramer's Position, posted by fachad on April 2, 2002, at 23:35:42
Well said.
Posted by Emme on April 3, 2002, at 10:44:41
In reply to Re: Be Realistic and Respect Dr. Kramer's Position, posted by colin wallace on April 3, 2002, at 3:44:34
> Well said.
Agreed. And a big thanks to Dr. Kramer for all his time and effort. This has been really generous of him.
Posted by Janelle on April 3, 2002, at 14:43:32
In reply to 'Dr. Kramer' stuff is clogging up the board (nm), posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 3, 2002, at 3:20:04
This is the end of the thread.
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