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04-15-2010, 09:25 AM | #1 | |||
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Senior Member
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I just wanted to share what a PD pal of mine is facing in Texas. She is a Physician who hopes to return to practicing Pediatrics after she delivers her child. I was appalled to learn that she is being "recruited" for the Texas Physician's Health Program based on her PD diagnosis. Mind you this program exists to track physicians and physician assistants who have substance abuse issues and mental health disorders. So, now apparently,
in addition to having a neurological condition, state licensing boards may confer upon us a mental health disorder label?!?! I understand the need for patient safety, but it is insulting beyond words that not one researcher, not one doctor can point to any definitive standard or definition of what comprises the scale toward PD dementia, especially in Young Onset PWP. Not one can even adequately explain it to us, yet they are going to hold a cogent medical professional who still has much to contribute to some standard that no one can yet define? Please correct me if I am wrong; is there some clear brochure or standard that is used beyond the MMTE to measure our capacity to continue working or that gives clear criteria to establish us as having mental health issues? I am really upset by this because she is actively being discouraged from practicing medicine. She has supplied a letter of support from her neurologist and it is deemed not good enough. This week they want to interview her, and then in order to even be granted a medical license she has to be party to some sort of monitoring program while in practice. What is really unsettling is that the law was just set into motion this year. Obviously, there is no legal precedent set for ushering her unwillingly into such a program. If Texas is allowed to do this what does it mean for the ADA and PWP in other states? I encouraged her to consult with a lawyer right away before she communicated further with this oversight board. It seems to me that they wish to use her as a means to establish precedent, and I don't think that any one of us would wish to be used as an example like this. Has anyone heard of this program? I know we have some practicing medical professionals out here and others who used to practice...what do you make of all this? Laura |
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04-15-2010, 09:52 AM | #2 | ||
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Junior Member
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Laura,
I am saddened and angered to hear of your friend's dilemma. How insulting! I am sure she is completely capable of returning to her practice and providing the same level of care for her patients as she was previously. Her patients deserve to have the benefits of her expertise without any restrictions and monitoring - again even the suggestion of the need to have her judgement second guessed is so insulting! And what possible justification do they have? As a family physician in Canada, currently on medical leave from my practice, I still have full opportunity to return to whatever level of practice that I choose - thankfully! But I will be keeping a close eye on what is happening in the US... Soania |
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04-15-2010, 12:35 PM | #3 | ||
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In Remembrance
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Laura,
Absolutely appalling! And now if she takes action, who will present the mental health issues with Parkinsons? Doctors who don't know what pd dementia is ? Or how medicines work or conflict? paula
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paula "Time is not neutral for those who have pd or for those who will get it." |
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04-15-2010, 02:58 PM | #4 | ||
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Senior Member
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Laura,
This is when I really start to get steamy around the ears..... the disinformation is just too much. There is nothing at all to suggest that dementia even occurs until late stage, if ever, and ALL humans have mental health changes, no matter how well they handle them. Do they bar mothers from being doctors because some women get post natal depression, or diabetics because their lifestyle changes can knock them off course enough to make them depressed ? There is a word for it - discrimination. Over here people who have real CFS with full blown depression are often seen as malingers, and efforts are made to push them into work even when they clearly are unwell - there are such double standards and misconceptions about illness. I do hope that there is some body that protects peoples rights that can work with her, and help her maintain her right to be able to work with no stigma. |
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04-15-2010, 05:23 PM | #5 | |||
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Member aka Dianna Wood
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Face the facts. Parkinson's disease affects every aspect of a person's health. Tremors, ridgidity, cogwheeling, are only the primary symptoms of this insidious disease. The disease is not a disease per se, but a collection of symptoms diagnosed by an experienced movement disorder physician. Movement disorders are the only symptoms used to diagnose the disease but they are just the tip of the iceburg.
Please check out the following site: http://www.clognition.org/ The person who created this site has received awards for her honest, forthright, analysis of other mental health affects of our illness. She also has suffered the illness herself for many years. Many of us must give up our dreams if they conflict with the safety of the public. Perhaps your friend would consider using her degree in a non public career such as research. I emphasize for your friend and the many others who worked so hard to obtain the credentials to help society, but are now prevented by any disability. Your friend also would enjoy her job, but her health is important. The stress of being a pediatrician is tremendous. Life just is not fair!!!!! |
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04-15-2010, 05:34 PM | #6 | ||
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In Remembrance
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Quote:
Vicky, I do not deny the pervasiveness of pd. But a satisfactory definition of pd dementia does not exist yet and patients need to say loudly how we need to provide input on the new definitions. Things can change - quickly- and the time has come to speak up. Actions like this will simply make pwp hide.
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paula "Time is not neutral for those who have pd or for those who will get it." Last edited by paula_w; 04-15-2010 at 05:45 PM. Reason: clarity |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | lou_lou (04-22-2010) |
04-16-2010, 12:42 AM | #7 | ||
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Junior Member
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