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Re: the grass is always greener

In a message dated 97-08-21 09:27:22 EDT, you write:

> I think that telling them that they con find another pediatrician is a good
>  idea if they don't want to immunize.
>
Problem with this is they land on another pediatrician's doorstep.

My partners and I have generally taken these problems on a case-by-case
basis.  Some families, despite immunization refusal, are thoughtful about
medical care for their children and can be reasoned with. These we don't
discharge.  Others seem so clearly irrational that we don't want to get into
a situation where their child is critically ill and there is no foundation of
mutual trust, so we ask them to find other care.

The same issue comes up sometimes with parents who are opposed to antibiotic
use. I try to figure out whether they would maintain their opposition in the
face of severe infectious illness. I don't want to have that argument with a
positive CSF in my hand.