Doctors Know It All?

Do doctors know it all?How far should we go in assuming what they say is what it is?I am writing this after speaking to a friend of mine,who took her son to his 12 month visit and the pediatrician noticed his ears being a little red and prescribed antibiotics right away,for ear infection.There was no other symptoms.We were discussing as to whether we are being paranoid about it or is it genuine to worry about it.(Sorry to use your situation with out your permission,my friend)We always end up questioning the diagnosis,but in most cases end up following their directions.

This is in no offense to the doctors out there.Am sure they do the best they can.But when it comes to your baby,especially the first one,everything being a new experience,we are always on the watch out.When Miss D was 5 months old(now 14.5 months),her pediatrician noticed that the head circumference had increased suddenly from the previous visit.She suggested a CAT scan of the head.Just to be on the safer side.Hmm,I didnt know what to say,thought to myself -a CAT scan for a 5 month old!?

We were at the hospital for the scan and the doctor there told us that the best way to do it is to make her sleep,so she can stay still during the scan.The other option was to sedate her,which should be the last resort.I prayed to God that she would doze off while I nursed her and she did.Then we were in the scan room,and she was under the machine and Miss D's dad and I held hands and crossed our fingers that she would not wake up(in which case,we would have to sedate her to do the scan).It took less than a minute and was done and we were relieved !!But the whole situation was scary,even though I didnt say it out loud.

The results were normal and it was only a little extra fluid,which would balance out as she grows and not effect her in any way.The final normal result is what we want,but at the beginning of it all,we question the doctor's diagnosis and wonder if we should go through with the whole procedure.

So far we have been happy with her pediatrician,seems confident of what she says and does.

There is a book by Jerome Groopman-How Doctors Think.I have browsed through it,seemed very interesting.It talks about the forces and the thought process behind the decisions that the doctors make.How they are right most of the times but also err at crucial moments with catastrophic consequences.Would like to read it one day.

Disclaimer:This post is in no offense to any doctors.