MD Whistleblower

  I have seen many alcoholics during my gastroenterology career.   It is likely in the majority of cases that I was not aware of their abuse history.   Patients often deny or minimize their alcohol history when queried.   “Do you use alcohol regularly?” “Only socially.” At this point the physician and the patient engage in a linguistic tete-a-tete on the precise meaning of ‘socially’. Patients are more forthright about their habits when they have a medical condition that has a clear an obvious connection to alcohol, such as jaundice or liver injury.   And, if family members are present, they often serve as fact checkers and truth tellers. What is my approach to these patients?    Do I wave my arms and preach like an evangelist that they should throw their bottles away?   Do I tell them that they must quit or face medical damnation?  Do I threaten to sever them from my practice if they persist with their addiction?   I have adopted a rather different approach.   I do not advis

 Yesterday, I entered a convenience store for a small item with my mask securely in place. I also do my best to maintain adequate distance from others, but it seem that others have a much more relaxed view on this.  I approached the check out line and stood behind two maskless men.   Why?  Is it possible that they are not aware that every state and national health expert recommends mask wearing? Yes, there was some confusion on this initially, but all of the experts are singing from the same hymnal now.  It’s an act of ignorance and selfishness.  How do they justify putting themselves, other customers like me and store employees at risk of contracting COVID-19?  Is this the example they choose to set for their children, friends and coworkers?  Or, are these just folks who don’t like to be told what to do? If the nation had not become a cauldron of anger, I might have approached these men to engage them in a conversation.   But, not these days.   Yesterday’s Road Rag e has morphed int