REPORTED BY
NORMAN J CLEMENT RPH., DDS, NORMAN L.CLEMENT PHARM-TECH, MALACHI F. MACKANDAL PHARMD, BELINDA BROWN-PARKER, IN THE SPIRIT OF JOSEPH SOLVO ESQ., INC.T. SPIRIT OF REV. C.T. VIVIAN, JELANI ZIMBABWE CLEMENT, BS., MBA., IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HON. PATRICE LUMUMBA, IN THE SPIRIT OF ERLIN CLEMENT SR., WALTER F. WRENN III., MD., JULIE KILLINGWORTH, LESLY POMPY MD., NANCY SEEFEDLT, WILLIE GUINYARD BS., JOSEPH WEBSTER MD., MBA, BEVERLY C. PRINCE MD., FACS., NEIL ARNAND, MD., RICHARD KAUL, MD., LEROY BAYLOR, JAY K. JOSHI MD., MBA, ADRIENNE EDMUNDSON, ESTER HYATT PH.D., WALTER L. SMITH BS., IN THE SPIRIT OF BRAHM FISHER ESQ., MICHELE ALEXANDER MD., CUDJOE WILDING BS, MARTIN NJOKU, BS., RPH., IN THE SPIRIT OF DEBRA LYNN SHEPHERD, BERES E. MUSCHETT, STRATEGIC ADVISORS
FROM THE WRENN RAP FILES
“Attitudes and beliefs outweigh the facts when it comes to the treatment of chronic diseases”
BY
Walter F. Wrenn III M.D
When treating patients for any medical condition, as physicians, our biggest concern is patient compliance.
Successful treatment outcomes are based on our belief that the recommendations and medication we prescribe will improve the medical condition we identified through a thorough examination and tests. Some conditions are acute and resolve or are cured.
As physicians, we are not only concerned about present-day problems but in preventing long-term consequences, heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, stroke, amputations, etc.
The patient has no symptoms of these conditions and feels fine. Changing their lifestyle is difficult.
Our biggest problem is our treatment of chronic diseases which have no cure and no apparent symptoms. There is also plenty of misinformation and beliefs that interfere with appropriate treatment.
Compliance is an issue.
Patients with diabetes are told to lose weight, follow a special diet, monitor their blood sugar, and take medications.
Although these patients continue to present to our office with elevated hemoglobin A1Cs, we continue to see them. If their condition worsens, we refer them to a specialist. If a patient has high blood pressure again, they have no symptoms.
As physicians, we are concerned about the long-term effects of uncontrolled high blood pressure. Enlarged hearts lead to cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure.
Also, stroke and kidney disease. Even though the patient comes to the office with their blood pressure not under control, we continue to treat them, adjusting their medication to achieve blood pressure goals. If the goals are not fulfilled, we refer them to a specialist.
Compliance is the issue
Addiction is a chronic disease, but the approach to treatment is much different. The patient is stigmatized with a negative image before treatment even begins. Some are court-ordered to methadone treatment centers.
Some seek treatment at drug treatment centers. Some seek treatment at private physician offices. Unlike diabetes and high blood pressure, there is no number to indicate ideal control, like an HA1C OF 7 or blood pressure of 120/80.
Furthermore, if you are non-compliance, you are dismissed from treatment. The consequences of non-treatment for addiction, however, don’t take 20 years to happen.
Also, the symptoms of withdrawal and cravings are immediate and lead to death due to drug overdose.
What then is the truth?
Attitudes and beliefs outweigh the facts when it comes to the treatment of chronic diseases.
FOR NOW, YOU ARE WITHIN
THE NORMS
And I worry for all of the wounded from the recent tornadoes cut with glass or wood or sharpened pieces of metal that got nothing when the morphine ran out due to production cut-backs based on this foundationless hysteria regarding the relatively rare “addiction”. The word is still being severely misused by unqualified authorities.Heaven help us if there is a big quake on the west coast.