UPDATED: Cases dismissed for women who sued Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas for allegedly profiteering from misdiagnoses

stevesuz, says:

Before we "hang 'em high," let's remember that there are two sides to every story. This article is basically the news release that was sent out by the attorney's office. And it shouldn't be lost on anyone that the guy spearheading all this is a personal-injury lawyer. Sorry, it's just that I had a friend, the most wonderful, compassionate doctor I've ever known, leave the medical profession because she was constantly getting sued by people for the most random reasons. Sadly, I know she isn't alone. That's why it costs all of us so much money for even routine exams -- because these docs get sued all the time for no reason. Even if they fight it and the case gets thrown out, there are signficant legal costs. So it doesn't matter if the lawsuit has merit or not; personal-injury lawyers go in to this knowing the doc and hospital will back down and settle just to avoid a costly trial. Personally, I hope they fight it.

stevesuz, says:

No worries. I just want everyone to keep in mind that this, in many ways, is a personal injury lawyer vs. a non-profit hospital. I don't think either of them are perfect.

rachelraya, says:

Sanders Kaufman: I guess since you work with "disturbed teenage girls" you fully understand eating disorders. And I suppose you know they're one of the most deadly forms of mental illness in the United States. Cardiac problems, which is what Karen Carpenter died of when she was suffering from anorexia, are common, and that's what these women were being tested for. Actually, I wonder if they owe a 'thanks' to these docs and the hospital for insisting they get a complete evaluation. I bet Karen Carpenter's family, and millions of other moms and dads, wished they had been thoroughly evaluated.

DC, says:

Quick - hit us up with some evidence.

stevesuz, says:

Sanders Kaufman: I think you're confused, or trying to make a point that's not relevant. The cardiac tests aren't used to diagnose the eating disorder. That had already been done. The cardiac tests come AFTER the diagnosis of an eating disorder -- because sudden cardiac death is a possible side effect of the disease. I don't think you understand what's going on here.

capster, says:

I agree with stevesuz. I think you are confused Sanders Kaufman. First of all, eating disorders are not straight-forward in diagnosing. They are extremely complicated both to recognize and to diagnose, especially for the medical profession.

Secondly, they had already been diagnosed with the eating disorder. According to the DSM-IV-TR, heart damage is not a requirement for a diagnosis of any of the different types of eating disorders.

Since anorexia has the highest mortality rate for any mental illness, it is also important to be thorough than to have a person die from an eating disorder.

And finally, most psychiatrists in my experience push medications of any type and offer absolutely no counseling.

joejohn, says:

Go ahead and "hand 'em high." I know someone who was in the program, and 2 months before this lawsuit was filed, her cardiologist mysteriously quit sending her a bill which she was paying on for over 2 years and still had over a $2k balance. When she called to find out why she didn't receive her bill, they said it showed a zero balance. After visiting with one of the attorneys who filed the suit, she got a second opinion from a cardiologist, and he said everything was fine with her heart and the opinions she was getting were inconsistent. The advice wasn't eat more food, it was don't exercise, and get a motorized cart when you go grocery shopping because your heart can't handle it. Somewhat humiliating for 20 year old girls. It scared them alright, scared them into coming back year after year for return visits to see if anything had improved.

She has chosen not to file suit and close that chapter of her life, but she has every right to go after those doctors just like the ladies who are.