Medical Procedure Disclosure

[PAUL PRICHARD <PRICHP@GWSMTP.NU.COM>]

Being an informed patient requires communication between the physician and the
patient.  The doctor could easily offer an overview of any procedure and expand
if the patient desires more information.  Generally, with the level of
scientific knowledge of the average individual, the discussion probably
wouldn't go much further.  How many of us nukes ask for any information
regarding the prescription medication we are directed to take?  Mostly our
concern is whether or not our HMO will pay for it.  

I was directed by a podiatrist last year to get a bone scan at the local
hospital.  I asked the nurse what isotope was used.  She replied, "TC99m.  Do
you know about isotopes?"  When I explained that I worked in radiation safety,
she offered me the RSO job.

Speaking of prescription medication, perhaps radiopharmaceutical companies
should take a page out of their PR campaigns and advertise on TV and in
magazines.  "Want to see what's going on inside?  Ask your doctor about
Bari-Scan."  A thirty second spot on Hollywood Squares would reach a lot of
people.

Paul Prichard
prichp@gwsmtp.nu.com
Just an analog guy in a digital world.
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