medical advice seekers! (rant)

Bipley · Nov 16, 2005

O.k, I'll admit, I'm not in nursing school yet, I'm pregnant and waiting until after the birth to start an LPN program.( Sorry, off the topic) Anyway, I come here to this forum everyday to learn more about the wonderful field of nursing and I keep seeing people asking for medical advice? Does this not make anyone else upset? If you have a medical question, ask your doctor?! If you're that worried about it, make an appt. and just find out?!:angryfire Sorry if I'm being unsympathetic, but ever hear of WebMD? People come here for nursing discussions and the like, not to get a diagnosis on birth control or gastrointestional problems. Sorry so long, but I come hear to learn more about nursing, not about missing pills and spotting!!:angryfire

Agreed. I might have a little more sympathy if it wasn't stated clearly in the TOS.

Quite frankly, I don't want to talk to anyone about their periods unless I'm at work and I have to. :)

grinnurse, RN · Nov 16, 2005

I agree that it should be posted to the appropriate forums but what really gets under my skin are co-workers who stop you to ask a question for a family member and then before you know it they are handing the phone off to you to speak to some stranger!!!! And usually it is right in the middle of something that you are trying to accomplish in the short time that you have to rest and chart!!! The first thing that I say when they ask is "Have you consulted your doctor about this?". :uhoh21:

hipab4hands · Nov 16, 2005

This happens frequently where I work. :angryfire I have to tell them to consult with thier own doctors or if they feel they have to have symptoms evaluated immediately, then call 911 or go to the ER.

Our wonderful management instituted a new policy that anyone, who calls is supposed to be triaged and given advice, regardless of whether they are under the care of one of our doctors or not.

I've told management that this is an usafe practice and my advice will be as stated above.

I'm still waiting for the first lawsuit to occur, because a nurse provided incorrect info or advice to a non-patient.

Works2xs · Nov 16, 2005

Not that I'm advocating for giving out medical advice, but... sometimes people are teetering on the edge of denial. Asking a question and getting an answer of "go see your Doc" is all they are really looking for to get them off the dime. Not that I'm qualified to make such psychiatric generalizations....

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 16, 2005

Not that I'm advocating for giving out medical advice, but... sometimes people are teetering on the edge of denial. Asking a question and getting an answer of "go see your Doc" is all they are really looking for to get them off the dime. Not that I'm qualified to make such psychiatric generalizations....

No, not really. If you are not a nurse, or even if you are one, you need to understand: It is against most Nurse Practice Acts to dispense medical advice or make medical diagnoses, except for certain advanced practice nurses. Even then, these professionals are loathe to say much, as they are not privvy to your medical history and lack other information to make such advice useful or even safe.

This site does have in its TOS (Terms of Service), the prohibition of giving or receiving medical advice, the same as most medical shows on TV or books you read have a caveat to seek medical advice from your personal health care provider. The reason is clear; it's to protect you and it's prudent for nurses and doctors to avoid giving out medical advice for people we are not qualified to treat.

Nothing can take the place of a qualified health care professional to give you advice/make diagnoses for your particular situation. It's as simple as that.

Thanks for the opportunity to explain this from a moderator's (and nurse's) point of view.

scrmblr · Nov 16, 2005

People call the ER all the time for medical advice. Our unit sec answers the phone and her line is "our nurses aren't allowed to answer medical questions over the phone, if you feel that you need to be seen please feel free to come in" I heart her:kiss

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Nov 16, 2005

A polite reminder of the TOS (like it has always been done) usually takes care of the prob.

DusktilDawn · Nov 16, 2005

This happens frequently where I work. :angryfire I have to tell them to consult with thier own doctors or if they feel they have to have symptoms evaluated immediately, then call 911 or go to the ER.
Our wonderful management instituted a new policy that anyone, who calls is supposed to be triaged and given advice, regardless of whether they are under the care of one of our doctors or not.
I've told management that this is an usafe practice and my advice will be as stated above.
I'm still waiting for the first lawsuit to occur, because a nurse provided incorrect info or advice to a non-patient.

Let me guess......CUSTOMER SERVICE. Very dangerous policy for both staff and the facility. Any advice given over the phone we as nurses can be held accountable for. Are these calls recorded or kept track of? I would contact your state BON in regards to this policy. I believe this would be against the Standard of Practice.

I agree that referring them to their own doctors or to ER is the most appropriate action. Making diagnosis and recommendations in regards to treatment is outside the nurse's scope of practice, which is what this new policy is basically telling you to do.

scrbmlr: People call the ER all the time for medical advice. Our unit sec answers the phone and her line is "our nurses aren't allowed to answer medical questions over the phone, if you feel that you need to be seen please feel free to come in" I heart her

That's how it needs to be handled.