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Editorial
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| A recent newspaper article (National Post, Saturday,
May 20, 2000) reported the tragic death of a 10-year-old during "rebirthing
therapy" in a Colorado clinic. This therapy involved a 10-year-old girl who was placed in the fetal position, wrapped up in a flannel sheet and surrounded by pillows _ a procedure intended to mimic the birthing process. Both ends of the sheets were twisted above her head and she was supposed to force her way out as the therapists pushed on the pillows to simulate labor contractions. Her adoptive mother was asked to leave the room where the treatment was taking place because she became upset that her daughter was trying to be "born" to her. The child complained that she could not breathe and pleaded six times to the adults present to free her or that she was going to die. Instead of freeing her, she was told "you have got to push hard if you want to be born _ or do you want to stay in there and die?" "You want to die, okay, then die. Go ahead, die right now." Twenty minutes later they unwrapped her and discovered that she had vomited and was unconscious. She died in the hospital the following day. This represents the tragic result of an increasingly fashionable therapy gone bad. It is the result of the application of therapy of no proven benefit but certainly harmful. There is no doubt that in the past few years the public has become more disillusioned with traditional medicine and are turning to alternatives to satisfy their needs. There is no doubt that part of this disillusionment comes from the economic realities following the euphoria of discovery and medical advances of the past few decades. We simply cannot afford to pay for many of the therapies that are now available. A more compelling reason for disillusionment is the fact that more and more demands are being placed on the physician's time such that less time is available to talk to patients. Time is necessary to unravel the true reason and nature for their visit to their physician's office. We have been buffeted by many demands that have left little time to practice holistic medicine. However, this story should imbue us with caution. The pendulum has swung too far in our search for alternatives! All therapies should undergo rigorous evaluation before being accepted as safe and standard for our patients. There is no doubt that some "alternative treatments" are beneficial and have led to great benefits. Many of the treatments are benign and are neither good nor bad. That few of these treatments are harmful should be of grave concern to us all. As the gatekeepers for our patients and in view of the fiduciary relationship we share with them, we should explore all alternatives and techniques that may confer benefit. We should also partner with our patients to know what their needs and wants are. However, the basic tenant of medicine should be followed in all cases. In all cases, our treatment and advice should have some or all of the following goals:
Striving to achieve these goals should always be the aim of medical interventions. If none of these goals can be achieved, then the treatment should not be administered regardless of whether it is viewed as "mainstream, alternative or complimentary." Ultimately, medical care should provide what is best for our patients. While best can sometimes be vague and shrouded in uncertainty, there is no doubt that any treatment that is likely to lead to death or disability has no place in the practice of medicine. I am sure we will all agree that the most fundamental goal of medical care is the improvement of the quality of life of those who need and seek care. Part of our responsibility as a physician is to oppose harmful practices. We can do this individually and collectively by voicing our disagreement with harmful practices whenever the opportunity arises. Jacksonville Medicine / August 2000 What's New
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Northeast Florida Medicine Journal ·
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