zlacker

>>dale_h+(OP)
I don’t understand why PSA levels aren’t included as part of the standard blood work done with check ups.

>>aantix+CA
My doctor tells me that PSA testing has now shown to not be effective so they don't do it anymore. I am 58 and my dad died of prostate cancer so I am concerned.

>>waynec+PO
Think of how full of shit most software developers are. Now think of how much worse their advice would be if they could be sued for wrong answers, but were given all of ten minutes to look at a code base and come up with a recommendation. That's a doctor.

I agree with the sibling advice to insist on PSA labs. You are your own advocate. The primary job of a doctor is actually to be a bureaucrat, the first line of offense for the health management companies whose whole function is to deny healthcare. They can easily rubber stamp a few labs once you change their risk calculus of not doing it, by explicitly laying out your risk factors.

>>mindsl+Iw1
I would make sure you scope your advice to the health system of the person you're replying to, even if you can't be sued for wrong answers.

>>robert+C12
Sure, "in the US". Obviously you don't want to be as ham-fisted as to directly reference the liability dynamic, or to pop the doctor's ego by reminding them that most of their job is pushing paperwork. The point is to take the medical system off the pedestal in your own mind, such that there is one less thing holding you back as you have to repeatedly advocate for yourself. And I would think the need to advocate for yourself applies everywhere (Sturgeon's law), regardless of whether the system is as antagonistic as the one in the US or not. The US system just drastically increases the possible damage from failing to do so.

>>mindsl+DD2
"the need to advocate for yourself" isn't the only thing you said. I was referring to "the first line of offense for the health management companies whose whole function is to deny healthcare" doesn't apply everywhere. I also don't think it particularly applies in the US, although I'm happy to see evidence of that.

Despite all that, as you say, you won't be sued for saying that stuff.