I’m feeling angry, sad, overwhelmed and in disbelief. 3 days ago a baby died in a home birth in Perth. 2 days ago a 42 year old ‘healthy’ woman with a high risk pregnancy chose a #freebirth #wildbirth at home and died after birthing a beautiful little girl. She died leaving behind a heartbroken husband and 3 little girls. She died leaving behind hundreds of mourners from her popular yoga studios. She died going against medical advice and initially refusing medical intervention when paramedics arrived at her home until the moment before she arrested and maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to had she had chosen to give birth in a hospital surrounded by expertise and life saving equipment.
In a world seemingly gone made, never has there been such a time where people have turned away from medicine in favour of what… Dr Google, Professor Facebook? We’ve seen it though the pandemic where every second person apparently became an armchair expert in immunology and infectious disease and 10% of the population chose to riot or lose their jobs instead of trusting a vaccine developed by experts devoting their lives to such research. We’ve seen a drop in childhood vaccinations leading to the reemergence of once eradicated diseases such as measles. Every day we are bombarded by conspiracy theories of big pharma and 5G and exclamations of ‘my body, my choice’ or ‘body autonomy’ and ‘my truth’ as though medicine is a punishment rather than life saving science.
Heck, I’ve even seen it in my own family where I haven’t spoke to my mother in 18 months since I was accused of being owned by big pharma, poisoning the masses with vaccination. This was a woman who was once a science teacher and now stops people in the street telling them not to get vaccinated and posts relentlessly on Ivermectin and other conspiracy bollocks. It breaks my heart, but I just couldn’t cope with the constant arguments and judgement in my life.
At some point you have to walk away to preserve your sanity and your soul.
When did we become the enemy?
Most doctors and nurses I know are the kindest, most caring and compassionate humans who spend their lives trying to help people. They work weekends, nights, and holidays, giving up time with their families and friends, for what? To cop abuse, to have to call the police for protection in clinic or to mentally and physically burn out and have nothing left to give.
After 13 years as a doctor, and 10 years as a physio pre med, that’s where I find myself. I’ve got nothing left to give. I’ve lost faith in humanity. I’m tired of being the enemy. I’m tired of fighting conspiracy with evidence. I’m tired of seeing my mother go down a rabbit hole. I’m tired of seeing unnecessary deaths because people turn away from medicine. I’m tired of trying to understand why. I’m just tired.
If your car breaks down, you see a mechanic. Need a haircut? See your hairdresser. But in health, people will consult facebook, google, neighbours, friends, miraculous potions and unproven tinctures before they end up at medicine’s door.
I honestly don’t know what the answer is, but I know we are in danger of a health system collapse because I know I’m not the only one. I’m part of a brilliant group of female GPs who chat and support each other online and I can tell you, they are leaving the profession in droves, leaving work they once loved because it’s just not worth it anymore. Abuse, entitlement, misinformation, conspiracy theory, burnout, compassion fatigue and the presumption that ‘I know more than my doctor’ is crushing our brightest minds and hearts; crushing the souls of a profession that cared too much.
Dr Kate
Read the follow up post here: Not All Opinions Are Equal
Brilliant!! Well said Dr Kate, we need more people like you in the world.
Super commentary. It’s the (mis) Information Age. People have access to ALL sorts of information often inaccurate and not backed by science and provided by self promoters who benefit from the hits or followers.
I was a dentist… ( I know I’m not really a doctor ) and retired. Towards the end , as a professional, you just have to learn to say ok. Provide your advice , your very best scientific educated advice. ( like your baby would be better delivered by a DOCTOR in a HOSPITAL, just in case there are problems. ) Doctors , dentists , physios , et al , need to say “ok” when a patient chooses , rightly or wrongly.
That green stuff you packed in your tooth to get rid of the pain to avoid the root canal I suggested? Did it work? No? You chose the course. Now we need more complex treatment to fix it.
It’s a tragedy about the baby’s death. As I get older and much more sensitive it’s so sad that a parent made such a bad choice. But you’re not the enemy. When things are really serious , you instantly become heard and respected. You’re in a magnificent , respected profession.
The decisions made by patients are ultimately theirs. All you can do is say OK .
As for vaccines , I prefer the House approach to medicine. Dont get vaccinated. Some of you will die. That’s a fact. But your choice.
Oh and the rabble who want to argue or debate , just get rid of them. The last ten years I said a lot more often that I didn’t think I could provide them with the treatment they sought and the might be better to seek alternatives for treatment. At some point , what your paid for the agro isn’t worth the personal cost. Try it. The number of patients who then WILL listen goes up rapidly. You’re not obligated to treat anyone.