Doctor Reprimanded for Calling Patient Fat

Exactly. They read some of the viewers emails after the interview and the concensus was that she just couldn't handle the truth. She didn't get much sympathy.

And quite bluntly, many patients only hear what they want to hear. Or what they want to take offense at.

If I have one more person tell me that Uncle X has "a touch" of emphysema or/and that the chemo will "cure" his lung cancer (without any surgical resection) because the MD told him so, I will lose it.

It amazes me how many people think treat=cure.

Next headline:
MAN/WOMAN SUES DOCTOR BECAUSE OF COMPLICATIONS OF OBESITY

Joe/Jane Q. Doe are suing Doctor Triestobenice due to complications that are the result of morbid obesity. They are claiming that Dr. T's manner in addressing the issue of their weight led them to believe that he was not entirely serious in his recommendation of weight loss. As a result they are now suffering from diabetes with vascular compromise, Htn, high cholesterol, joint deterioration, CAD, ateriosclerosis, etc, etc, etc. The plaintiff believes that Dr. T should be held accountable for their sufferring and they hope this lawsuit sends a strong message to medical practitioners everywhere: You're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Representatives for Dr. T have released this statement:"The plaintiff throughout the years had been repeated warned, nagged, and cajoled about the importance of losing weight. There is repeated documentation about Dr. T providing written information concerning the dangers of obesity to his client along with his written concern about client refusing to alter lifestyle habits. Referrals to therapist/counsellors, nutritions, and other health care providers more experienced in the area of obesity were declined numerous times. We don't know what else Dr. T could have done in this situation."

This case should be going to court in the near predictable future.

Up here I have heard many MD's tell their patients they are fat - and it's not in a nice way either. I remember the first time - this cardiologist was yelling at his patient about how overweight he was, but the cardiologist weighed about 400 lbs!

Regardless, there should be some respect involved. And when it comes to the doctors here, there are very few worthy of respect.

I saw the doc on TV - an older man, blunt style, but seems to truely care about his pts. Evidently he told pt she was obese, gave her ways to decrease wt. She left the office in "denial" and filed complaint.

State board will not let matter drop, nor will they hold a hearing. The doc brought this to the media in hopes of getting resolution - his explanation.

I have to say, I liked the guy... Can't stand it when doctors won't bring up an issue because it makes them uncomfortable.

How do you politely tell a patient they are slowly killing themselves? Simple, you can't. There's nothing polite about death. It's happens, and has no PC bounds. It's not usually a pleasant thing for anyone involved. So why should a doctor look for a polite way of informing a patient who is obese that they are slowly killing themselves?

I live in the next town over from this Doc... isn't it funny that I first heard about the case here? LOL, I never watch the local news!

I once overheard a orthopedic surgeon tell a patient that "they sure did get tired holding up her fat leg during (knee replacement) surgery". That patient was in tears for a while after that. I am sure that there was a more tactful way to put that.

I could not believe it when I heard about this story.

Obesity is a diagnosis, would you avoid telling a patient he had cancer
because you might offend him .
People need to get real and be accountable for themselves. She was just deflecting from the "real" issue, She is fat. I can say this because I am obese but I take full accountability for my condition. I actually cannot believe that a
Doctor has never said anything to me. It is like there is a white elephant in the room.

I am fat. Not so fat as to be unsightly but still I need to lose a good 50 lbs. My doctor has addressed this situation with me in a kind, caring, professional manner. I have set a target date to begin some big changes in my life. My doctor is aware of my plans and has offered to give me tips, recipes, and support in every way she can. I love my PCP, choosing her for my doctor was one of the smartest things I have ever done, not to mention the wonderful care she's given hubby. I hope this doctor does not get a bum wrap from the court because he was doing his job correctly. Sometimes no amount of tact will lessen the instructions a doctor must give a patient. For once, after reading every post on the event, I would support this doctor.