ChuckPrice.org

As the parent of a type 1 diabetic, I have my Google News Alert set for “type 1 diabetes” cure. This allows me to stay on top of the breaking news in this field. One of today’s alerts was titled “Treating the internet informed patient” The author is an arrogant jackass, Robert D. D’Ambrosia, M.D.

Dr D complains that “Most patients will freely admit that they have, at one time or another, researched health-related information on the Internet.” Imagine that - individuals without an MD behind their name having the nerve to research their symptoms. This does not sit well with the “good” doctor. In fact, Bobby D offers the following model as the ideal:

“At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and their families, are instructed not to conduct any Internet-based research on their condition—at least for the first few days following diagnosis. This edict eliminates the misinformed patient.”

WTF - are you kidding me?  I hope this isn’t true. Perhaps someone from  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia can set the record straight on this.

Dr D then bemoans: “If only this model could be cloned and used for all patients in every specialty.” Ah, yes Doctor. Damn those (mis?)informed patients who dare to take an interest in their own health. Why can’t they just shut up, listen to your diagnosis then do as you say without question?

When my son was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I spent the next 24 hours straight (no kidding, there was no sleep) learning as much about this disease as possible via the web. The diabetes educator was stunned the following day by my knowledge & understanding of the disease. It seems that I was bright enough to separate the BS from the facts. I’m guessing that most patients have that same ability.

I also discovered the world of clinical trials for the treatment of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics. This is something they DON’T discuss at the hospital and the window of opportunity is short. Many type 1 diabetes trials are limited to newly diagnosed patients. If you don’t act immediately, you will miss the chance to participate. I was on the phone to Columbia, Harvard & Yale 48 hours after my son’s diagnosis looking to get him enrolled in a clinical trial. I learned about the trials and the locations from internet research.

So why does this Doc have a hard on for patients that use the web for research? It might have something to do with this warning letter that I turned up when using the web to look into his background. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that D’Ambrosia would be cited by the FDA for  “Failure to obtain proper informed consent prior to involving human beings as subjects.” This guy’s attitude appears to be that Doctor knows best & the patient should have no information nor say in his or her own treatment

Note to Robert D. D’Ambrosia, M.D.: This is 2009 - The days of Doctor as God are long gone. Get with the new plan or retire - no kidding. At least get in compliance with the FDA.