Posted by Cam W. on June 13, 2001, at 10:04:56
In reply to Re: Psychiatrist Online? and Tele-Psycho-Babble, posted by Dr. Bob on June 13, 2001, at 9:27:01
Dr.Bob - There would have to be many issues to be addressed before online prescribing could take place. For instance, what about a side effect of Effexor, increased blood pressure. This is somehing that could not be felt and could be potentially lethal. Also, without a physical exam, nonpsychiatric causes of of psychiatric symptoms may be missed more often than they are now. I believe that online prescribing could be dangerous. The art of medicine, which is a very important part of psychiatry, may be lost in the shuffle, as perhaps would be the level of doctor/patient interaction. Some of this could be overcome with tele-psychiatry, but nothing beats a fact-to-face consultation. It would also be harder for a doc to check on the level of compliance for taking a medication, outside of taking a patient's word for it.
As to the filling of prescriptions from a doctor outside of my province, we are not supposed to do it; although, for something like BCPs or heart meds, I may part-fill the prescription, but I would be liable for anything that went wrong. Most major chain stores would not allow their pharmacists to fill out of province, let alone out of country prescriptions. They send the patient to a doctor in our province to get a legal prescription.
I am sure that I have missed some important limitations of online prescribing, but as I said, these issues would have to be addressed before any medical assciation or pharmaceutical association would allow it. Thanks for your rebuttal, Dr.B. As always, it is a pleasure when you add your expertise. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:66219
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010612/msgs/66310.html