When I sat down at the computer this morning to make my usual internet news rounds, one of the first items to catch my eye was the rec-listed diary It begins: FLA Doctor in Graysons district refuses to treat Obama patients, by stevesmill. It reports the story of a Florida urologist who has posted a sign on his office door that reads: "If you voted for Obama... Seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years."
It's appalling and offensive on general principle, of course. But as the spouse of a resident physician, I get mightily irritated when any doctor engages in douchebaggery like this. It reflects badly on the profession as a whole.
And that's a shame, because there are so many docs out there who not only are not douchebags, but are really working hard to do good. Docs who take their oath seriously. Docs who went into medicine to help people, not to get rich (and believe me, anyone who goes into medicine for the money is delusional as well as misguided, but that's another rant altogether!).
Let me give you a for-instance. :)
My husband, McDoc, is leaving tomorrow for a week in Haiti. He's using his vacation time to go on a medical mission. He will be treating amputees and other patients who need ongoing rehabilitative care. He's a second-year resident in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, so this is exactly the kind of work he's training in now.
As I'm sure everyone has heard, many people in Haiti lost limbs as a result of injuries sustained in the earthquake. What I didn't know is that successfully adjusting to life as an amputee is much more involved than simply putting on a prosthesis. Here's how McDoc's describes it on his blog:
Amputation is half the battle to saving a patient’s life with unsalvageable limbs. Assuming an uncomplicated post-op recovery, amputation has grave consequences in terms of changing and limiting one’s occupational options, productivity, social role, social status, independence, freedom and self-esteem. This is doubly true in a developing country that lacks wealth, resources, technology and advocacy to enable or provide meaningful, ready employment for people with impairments.
A residual limb and the rest of the patient need early and comprehensive rehabilitation in order to prepare for a prosthesis, and to prevent complications. Foregoing rehabilitation is a recipe for disaster, opening the door to development of a weak, swollen, contracted residual limb with hypersensation, prone to pressure ulcers and unable to be fitted for, or to tolerate a prosthesis. Here’s a good run-down of amputation rehab.
Of course, it'll take a lot more than one week to deal with this situation, right? McDoc is just crazy enough that he'd probably commit to a longer stint if he could, but at this point he is unable to obtain permission for that from the powers that be (i.e. his residency director and Moi!). Many docs who want to help are in similar circumstances, but they can spare a week, so teams are rotated in and out on a regular basis, providing continuing care.
People have asked me if I'm scared or worried about him going on this trip. There are hazards, to be sure, but one thing that helps me feel okay about it is the organization he's going with: Healing Hands for Haiti. They've been working in Haiti for 10 years already, so they know the drill, and I feel that he has been very well-prepared for the trip, as far as logistics, security, gear to bring, etc., are concerned.
Nothing can really prepare a person for the experience of being with the people and witnessing the destruction left by the quake, and I'm sure that will be life-changing for him. But it's the kind of thing he went into medicine to do, and he welcomes it.
Needless to say, he won't be posting any stupid signs at the entrance to the tent where he'll be working, just as he would never do such a thing in his practice here. He's not going to check to see whether his patients share his political or religious views or anything like that. He's just going to treat them to the best of his ability, as doctors everywhere are sworn to do.
I know that, in general, it's not polite to brag, but I hope in this case I can be forgiven for doing so. My husband is awesome and Dr. Jack Cassell can suck it!
Obligatory Aw-Shucks Update: Wow, I think this is the first time I've gotten on the rec list for something other than Top Comments or a C&J Sub! Thanks so much, everyone! :D