In these trying times for the Edwards’ family, Adam Hanft wonders if John Edwards’ past as a malpractice attorney has helped create an environment that forces physicians to practice less than ideal care:
The media has covered the Edwards’ story in terms of the painful decision they faced about whether or not to continue the campaign. But conspicuously absent has been any real attention paid to the relationship between his career as a physician-basher and his current, trying circumstances.John Edwards wants the best cancer care for his wife. Yet in the relentless pursuit of malpractice awards, he has helped create an environment where there is probably less of the best going around today, and where there will certainly be less of it in the future.
Related posts:
- John Edwards and forced visits to the doctor
- John Edwards works a shift at a nursing home
- John Edwards and tort reform?
- John Edwards, Nataline, and CIGNA: Matthew Holt is Spot-On
- Will any physician vote for John Edwards?
- How John Edwards can make amends with the physician community
- John Edwards
KevinMD.com on Facebook
{ 18 comments }
brilliantly put.
If I were Edwards’ oncologist (and I’m glad I’m not) you can be sure I’d order every test in the book over and over again, and leave as much of the decision-making to them. seems like this is happening – in the 60 minutes interview they were clear that
1-they read the bone scans themselves (?J.Edwards MD – radiologist)
2-they totally underappreciate the impact this will have on their entire family (”this thing could kill her” attn on the word “could”; and a common misunderstanding that “she’s beaten cancer before, she can do it again” from people who can’t appreciate the difference between stage 1-2 cancer vs stage 4)
i give them 3-6 months before pulling out of the race.
hopefully this experience will make him appreciate the need for a trusting relationship between doctor & patient, a concept his kind have certainly eroded greatly.
Wow . . . wow . . . disgusting . . .
Good luck with this . . . sorta showing the “compassion” of “your type” for what it really is, heh?
I am sure that most of the American public certainly will share that thinly veiled “this is what you get” attitude.
Seriously . . . keep pushing this angle . . . it reflects very well upon the entire medical profession . . .
I will actively do my best to make sure the point of view of “your type” is heard by as many as possible . . .
Yes anon 11:56, the single offhanded comment of an anonymous blogger who may or may not be a doctor is probably the best indicator of the true attitude of health professionals nationwide. Clearly no research into the matter is necessary in this case since, logically, all physicians have the same opinion about every issue and any alternate views are just coverups for their secret plan to bankrupt the country through superfluous testing while all the while intentionally killing off your family members one by one to spite you.
wow, you make a good point anon 1:48 i was totally out of line. I will think twice before talking out of my ass. also I will go back to school and get some education so I will have some idea of what I am talking about when I post on these anonymous boards. I appreciate your help.
-anon 11:56
Anon 11:56 is not constructively adding to the comments on this page.
” Yet in the relentless pursuit of malpractice awards, he has helped create an environment where there is probably less of the best going around today, and where there will certainly be less of it in the future. “
So is the commenter arguing that it’s bad for John Edwards to represent people who have been injured by the negligence of others? What would he propose those injured parties do? Grin and bear it? File bankruptcy for their medical bills and go on the state dole?
“So is the commenter arguing that it’s bad for John Edwards to represent people who have been injured by the negligence of others? What would he propose those injured parties do? Grin and bear it? File bankruptcy for their medical bills and go on the state dole?”
No – more like it’s bad to represent clients who file junk lawsuits in order to win a jackpot loteery verdict that has nothing to do with reality – junk lawsuits like those filed in multiple CP cases.
Physicians have every right to be disgusted with Mr. Edwards. This guy lives in a 29,000 sq. foot mansion built with physicians’ blood. He made a living by suing Ob’s that delivered children with cerebral palsy. Every major study looking at this issue has shown that the delivery process has no relationship to cerebral palsy. If this guy had any honor, he would give his wrongly earned millions to charity or set up a breast cancer research foundation. The fact that he is still running for president inspite of his wife’s tragic diagnosis hints at his ignorance and arrogance which are not desireable characteristics for a president to have.
“No – more like it’s bad to represent clients who file junk lawsuits in order to win a jackpot loteery verdict that has nothing to do with reality – junk lawsuits like those filed in multiple CP cases. “
So I take it you’ve ordered the transcripts from his cases and have reviewed them to see which ones were junk? Can you give us plaintiff names? Counties they were filed in and case numbers?
Or do you not need facts to reach your conclusions? If not, I hope you’re not a physician.
“Every major study looking at this issue has shown that the delivery process has no relationship to cerebral palsy.”
Wrong.
glad to see i could spark some “discussion”.
a couple of points:
1-how does my original post preclude my feeling compassion? i feel compassion to anyone who is dying with such a terrible disease.
2-why do all posts devoid of substance come from an anon?
3- i stick by my 3-6 months estimate.
Happyman, I think it is presumptuous of you to assume the Edwardses don’t comprehend the impact of recurrent cancer.
I suspect they do know what it means, even if they haven’t necessarily articulated it for the whole world to hear.
Honestly, what do you think they should have done? Should they have broken down and wept and expressed utter despair on national TV? Or should they have sucked it up and tried to be calm and positive?
I guess it doesn’t really matter what we do, because people like you will be waiting to judge our every move: Geez, she’s crying – what a whiner. Suck it up, honey! Geez, look at that stiff upper lip. Total denial – don’t you know you’re *going to die*?
And although I hate to nitpick, Elizabeth Edwards is not dying, at least not just yet. I hate to see these attitudes perpetuated – there is enough employment and insurance discrimination against cancer people the way it is.
Happyman:
1. Not speaking of YOU personally and your specific comments – as I clearly indicated.
The largest problem I have discussing policy with “your type” is your self-importance and obliviousness to it.
2. I don’t agree with your premise, but I have employment reasons (most dealing daily with “his type” and “your type.”)
3. OK
Serena,
let me respond to your points:
“Happyman, I think it is presumptuous of you to assume the Edwardses don’t comprehend the impact of recurrent cancer.”
I didn’t presume anything- John Edwards said “this could kill her” – meaning, “i don’t know that this WILL kill her”
“Honestly, what do you think they should have done? Should they have broken down and wept…”
I’m not looking for them to show their true emotions on tv – that’d be just cruel. But running for president with such obligations is a disservice to the American public in addition to his family.
“I guess it doesn’t really matter what we do, because people like you will be waiting to judge our every move…”
You don’t think we SHOULD judge the decisions of our presidential candidates??? This would affect his ability to perform his duties as president, if he were to get the democratic nomination, which probably won’t happen.
And by the way, median survival with stage-4 breast cancer is around 2-3 years.
The Lord works in mysterious ways and certainly there is a reason for the tragic circumstances the Edwards family has encountered. Many families face similar tragedy; this is not a unique circumstance. Most, however, are not seeking a Presidential nomination for the second time, and many would make another choice.
How do you know what they’d choose?
Personal, first-hand experience. The kind too many of our Presidential contenders lack.
How many people do you know who have been diagnosed with this type of cancer who immediately quit their jobs and did nothing but spend time with their spouse? As a percentage of the total diagnosed?
Comments on this entry are closed.