Thoughtful responses to this H1N1 poster:

[Ivor the Engineer]

I'm just wondering if there is a way to make that distinction clearer for people who are sincere about asking questions in order to stand up for themselves.

Linda

Badges.

Or if they're too obvious perhaps we could invent a secret handshake?

 

[paximperium]

Badges.

Or if they're too obvious perhaps we could invent a secret handshake?

This one example how not to do it.

 

[Ivor the Engineer]

This one example how not to do it.

Probably right. You might get your secret handshakes confused and then where would you be?

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Quite right, I worded that incorrectly. What I should have asked is:

If so, were you wrong and if you were, did you admit your error to the patient or did you hide behind your authority?

This view suggests a couple of possibilities:

Either you have had an unusually lopsided experience with medical professionals and you now have a distorted view of what the majority are like,

or, you rationalize that when you are wrong, you cling to the belief that you are really right and the doctor just won't admit it.

In my younger days of nursing, the 'physician can never be questioned' attitude was a lot more prevalent. I really don't think that is the current climate in the health care field despite the fact there is a small % of physicians with this attitude.

 

[Deetee]

Badges.

Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges.

 

[paximperium]

In my younger days of nursing, the 'physician can never be questioned' attitude was a lot more prevalent. I really don't think that is the current climate in the health care field despite the fact there is a small % of physicians with this attitude.

I try to keep my Nurses in line with a backhand every so often...until I tried it on the US Army Ranger Medic/RN who promptly spanked me

 

[paximperium]

Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges.

Tsk...we use RFID implanted chips nowadays.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

I try to keep my Nurses in line with a backhand every so often...until I tried it on the US Army Ranger Medic/RN who promptly spanked me

I've learned long ago to respond to poorly informed MDs with literature and not personal opinion. And once in a while I sick the public health authorities on them.

 

[T.A.M.]

Um pay attention to my kid? Whatever.

Statistics can be pulled out of the air to back up anything. Anyone who uses STATISTICS as a basis for making a decisions is a fool in my opinion.

Statistical analysis is one of a number of factors that go into decision making but it is an important one. Only a fool would make a medical decision without considering the "evidence basis" for such a decision, and evidence based medicine is based on the analysis of statistical and clinical data.

TAM

 

[truethat]

Statistical analysis is one of a number of factors that go into decision making but it is an important one. Only a fool would make a medical decision without considering the "evidence basis" for such a decision, and evidence based medicine is based on the analysis of statistical and clinical data.

TAM

Which statistics do you prefer to use then TAM? Because if I lived according to statistics I'd need to move out of my house because Statistics show most accidents happen at home.

Statistics can be used to guide but certainly not the solid basis for your decisions in life. Who you are as a person factors in with statistics. Something that a lot of people fail to take into consideration.

 

[T.A.M.]

Which statistics do you prefer to use then TAM? Because if I lived according to statistics I'd need to move out of my house because Statistics show most accidents happen at home.

Statistics can be used to guide but certainly not the solid basis for your decisions in life. Who you are as a person factors in with statistics. Something that a lot of people fail to take into consideration.

Of course you are correct, that you must use a host of decision making variables in making any decision. However, Statistics, particularly with respect to scientific evidence, is what you should use as a SOLID basis for decision making...when you have such stats.

For instance, in the example you give, my take on it would be as follows.

1. Most accidents occur at home.
BUT
2. I have to live in my home, so,
3. I will make sure my home is as safe as possible.

You see life is not without risks. One could also say, that while most accidents occur in the home, Your chances of becoming seriously ill are probably greater if you are homeless.

Let me give you an example.

Statistics say it is safe to fly. So as a society we fly. If stats said it was not safe to fly, I personally would not do it. I would recommend to others they do not. Some people (those who wish to or must take the risk) would still fly. However, I suspect they would not for long, as the insurance costs to run an airline, where stats proved it high risk to fly, would make it cost prohibitive for both the company and the consumer.

The point of my example is that we use stats to make decisions all the time.

If a vaccine came out that prevented you from getting the common cold, but it was found (for whatever reason) that a STATISTICALLY high number of people developed serious side effects, then I would not advise my patients get it, and you (seeing the same Statistics) would not likely request it.

I hope I am clear...may be I am not.

TAM