Political Correctness is Corrupting Medicine

摘要: PC, M.D. Sally Satel Basic Books, 2000 Satel, the author of is a lecturer at Yale University who has practical experience in working with cocaine addicts. In her practice she noticed that for success addicts need to want change (and are often ambivalent about drugs), and take responsibility getting better. A theme this book how modern trends regarding people as members victimized groups prevents them from taking their own health. This shows up discussion feminist counseling multicultural counseling. these, emphasis on political action status women or oppressed peoples. The basic problem therapies there no evidence they work. However, major risk diverting patient what he can do solve his problems. They also appear violate generally agreed ethical standard therapist should not thrust values patient. Likewise, tale told crack moms South Carolina. That state tried get into treatment using threat arrest imprisonment child neglect delivery drugs minor if used just prior delivery, tested positive more than once during third trimester, refused drugs. goal was children's sake. From medical viewpoint program worked. number drug tests among pregnant dropped 20 per month 5 6. produced predictable outcry civil rights establishments, both those disliked idea forced testing, charging racism because most affected mothers were black. Incidentally, since published US Supreme Court held required blood testing Carolina possibility unfavorable results being sent police constituted an improper search. quotes joke many psychiatrists does it light bulb (only one, but must change!). She believes (partially based addicts) any hope patients try change. somewhat ambivalent. outside world supply pressure needed induce accept changing. losing children one way apply such pressure. Addicts notoriously poor self-disciplinarians programs help provide discipline lack. To Satel's credit avoids overstating damaging effects cocaine, stating follow studies have failed find "horribly brain-damaged cohort ghetto predicted 1980's". better now appears effect use IQ only three points. environment provided by addicted parents very bad ways few would doubt off highly desirable. One successful offers $200 undergoing sterilization $50 will obtain sustained-release hormonal birth control pill, Norplant. As summer 1999 had paid 57 women. These been total 423 times already, resulting 161 abortions, 40 dead babies, 175 babies foster care. Arithmetic 47 remained mothers, indicating large majority offspring ending Given high cost care could be justified purely financial grounds, amazingly cheap (I expected $200). Yet despite its success, privately financed attracted great criticism. …