Ignorance, stupidity or both.

I think I've mentioned in my other posts how, it seems, irresponsibly people approach their health care needs. When we shop for a car or a house or even do our regular grocery shopping we're armed with knowledge of the market, interests rates, latest car models and their reviews, sale coupons, etc. But when we need anything done to our bodies (i am not talking about body piercing) all we do is just show up! I met a nice 8 year old boy and his lovely, concerned and anxious family. During my presurgical interview Mom mentioned that her sister (boy's aunt) had "some kind of severe reaction to anesthesia" and their pediatrician specifically asked her to mention that fact to me! What kind of reaction?! She didn't know! I pressed: "was it an allergic reaction to a medication, what medication, what kind of symptoms did she have, was she hospitalized, what kind of surgery did she have, etc.." - nothing! No more additional information. She even got somewhat angry with me. "I said there was a bad reaction to anaesthesia! What else do you want?" Both parents were educated professionals. I bet, had I asked the Dad about his opinion on the latest BMW model he would've elaborated for quite awhile. Why is it? I maybe wrong, but it seems that when people are financially detached from any decision making process, and in the case of health care in the USA it is in in the hands of insurance companies, they really loose interest! The schools completely ignore any health care education with exception of "smoking and drugs are bad, exercise is good" type of lessons, but nothing about how to be a savvy health care consumer. Somehow good doctors will take care of you. And it puts an additional burden on health care workers - doctors, nurses, technicians and an additional liability. Of course, I did put that kid to sleep and we did the case with no problems, but I just took my chances (what if his aunt had an episode of malignant hyperthermia - a disease, although very rare, requires special approach to anesthesia management. What else could I do? We called pediatrician office - it was closed, called the aunt - she would not pick up the phone. I didn't want to cancel the case, because they waited for awhile, took a day off from work, but some of my colleagues probably would. Hey, people out there please educate yourself. www.surgerytomorrow.com