BUT my concerns are real! Doctors don't want to 'talk' with patients in any public forum? Because sometimes, they don't LISTEN to patients in the 'private forum' of an office visit. IT IS THEIR BUSINESS AFTER ALL! Then? They have to see those patients more than necessary because they don't do RIGHT the first time?
Where but a conference, could there BE a better opportunity for patients to learn WHERE DOCS are coming from in their 'diagnosis[ses]' or where Docs are coming from in their RESPONSE approach and treatments of patients! There is one BIG void that is growing bigger by the day -And If I were docs? Smarter patients [often written off, due to some 'web educations'?] ask questions they don't want to address due to future liabilities.
That standard line of: This is all that can be done, grin and bear it? Is often NOT all that can be DONE! NOT by a longshot!
YES docs can get numb? BUT? We can with group and outside pressure get them re-sensitized to a degree vis-a-vis diagnosis!
There is a big difference between 'Numb as a fencepost & Dumb as a fencepost'! To date? My experiences have been that 60% are in the first category, 80% in the second.... take that as you will? But docs unwilling to go that other step, when things get worse? And, just up meds that are detrimental overall to quality of life? are definitely NUMB DUMB POSTS! And, you know? I'd loove to have my first [defintely EX neuro] on that panel! How well, do YOU walk on HOT COALS!?
Should some source provide a neutral source of how patients and docs can and should communicate better to shorten diagnosis and treatment times? That would be a super GOAL! One the NA has not decided to deal with.. nor likely to in the future. SIGH! - j