So I need to make a few comments about this blog. First, as you may have observed, there are no longer ads on it. This is because Goodle Adsense fired me. They will not tell me what I did, which is unfortunate.
I was actually getting to the point I was making about $100 every 2-3 months, so it's not like I was getting rich off ads. And I wrote on this blog many years before I ever put ads on here, so it's not like I need the money as an incentive to write.
Still, I am also at a point in my life where I was seriously considering donating what I made on this blog to some respiratory charity. But that idea is gone now. It's not a big deal, but it still kind of stinks.
So that pretty much means this entire blog is a charity.
Another change made here is that I will no longer submit posts on this blog about myself. I actually made this change quite a few years ago, and some of you have already discovered by asthma blog, "Hardluck Asthma."
I actually started writing the history of asthma on Hardluck Asthma, before writing about the history on this blog. Then I decided to just make a new blog called, "Asthma History."
For the record, asthma was once an umbrella term for all that is short of breath, so every lung disease is covered there, not just asthma as we now know it. So, if your'e interested in a history, check out my history blog.
If you are interested in politics, you can check out my political blog. Actually, it's not so much a political blog, mainly a place I can write about things other than respiratory therapy, other than me, other than medical. So you can find me over at "Articulating Ideas."
Now, if you read my political blog, keep in mind I have an opinion. It's actually a place I can share ideas I have with my kids, if they so care to read what I write. Perhaps in the future they might get interested. Although, in all due fairness, I don't even think they know it exists because I don't talk about it much.
And, as is true on all my blogs, I am not politically correct. So, if you go over there, be nice. You can be honest, but be nice.
And, as is the case with this blog, there are no ads on my other blogs either. So, they are all charities.
That said, I also do blogging where I get paid. From 2008 to 2016 I was an asthma and COPD expert over at healthcentral.com. Some of those posts I republished here (come to think of it, maybe that's what Adsense didn't like).
Beginning this year I am an asthma and COPD expert at COPD.net and Asthma.net. These posts will not be republished here, per my contract. So, if you want to read them, you'll have to go there, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Or, you can like COPDdotnet on Facebook and Asthmadotnet on Facebook.
So you can find me all over the place. And that should explain why this blog has been less active of late. Still, I will post here from time to time, and I will link to it at the Respiratory Therapy Cave Fakebook page and on RT Cave on Twitter. So, you can follow me and I'll keep you posted.
Anyway, hope you are all doing well.
Showing posts with label disclaimer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disclaimer. Show all posts
Friday, July 1, 2016
Friday, January 17, 2014
The mask of anonymity
A subject I have been pondering as of late is what to do about anonymous comments on this blog. It has been brought to my attention by certain readers that too many readers of this blog hide under the mask of anonymity, and therefore I should eliminate this as an option.
Allow me here to list the advantage and disadvantage to using the mask of anonymity. I think the most prevalent reason for using an anonymous name is the Hippa law which prevents medical caregivers from sharing information about patients. Many hospitals take this law almost too seriously, and therefore threaten to fire any employees suspected of violating this law.
Another prevalent reason for using an anonymous name is that the U.S. Constitution protects your natural right to criticize the government, but does not protect your natural right to criticize you employer. In order to encourage discussion on this blog, the privilege of using the mask of anonymity is essential.
There are also disadvantages to allowing anonymity on this blog. Among these is the fact that, when no one knows your true identity, you are more likely to say things you would never say to a person's face.
Along this line of thinking, I find that there are occasional comments that, in the absence of facts to defend their arguments, people personally attack those of whom they disagree with. These ignorant debaters use language to malign the recipient's image, as opposed to their argument. Examples here include comments such as the following:
Of course another disadvantage is the opportunity for spam. While Blogger, like Yahoo and Hotmail, have some great anti spamming programs, some spammers have learned that by using an anonymous or fake name they re able to get past any spamming screens. So one of the greatest challenges of any blogger is protect his readers from exasperating spam.
So, where do we go from here? Upon review of these advantages and disadvantages, I find that there is no choice but to continue to allow anonymous comments. This was a difficult decision, although, I believe, an important one. The following weighted in my decision:
Surely it's unfortunate, but there is an inclination to be politically correct in the healthcare business; too many of us are afraid to speak the truth in lieu of fear that we may lose our jobs. Truly, political correctness, while pleasing to the ear, will nary advance any discussion in the arena of ideas.
Since this blog encourages an open discussion about the healthcare profession in general, and particularly regarding the respiratory therapy profession, I have decided to continue to allow the anonymous comment. Trust me, this was a very difficult decision, but I think it was the correct one.
Allow me here to list the advantage and disadvantage to using the mask of anonymity. I think the most prevalent reason for using an anonymous name is the Hippa law which prevents medical caregivers from sharing information about patients. Many hospitals take this law almost too seriously, and therefore threaten to fire any employees suspected of violating this law.
Another prevalent reason for using an anonymous name is that the U.S. Constitution protects your natural right to criticize the government, but does not protect your natural right to criticize you employer. In order to encourage discussion on this blog, the privilege of using the mask of anonymity is essential.
There are also disadvantages to allowing anonymity on this blog. Among these is the fact that, when no one knows your true identity, you are more likely to say things you would never say to a person's face.
Along this line of thinking, I find that there are occasional comments that, in the absence of facts to defend their arguments, people personally attack those of whom they disagree with. These ignorant debaters use language to malign the recipient's image, as opposed to their argument. Examples here include comments such as the following:
- "You are an idiot for your thoughts
- "You are a Nazi"
- "You are a liar for your beliefs"
Of course another disadvantage is the opportunity for spam. While Blogger, like Yahoo and Hotmail, have some great anti spamming programs, some spammers have learned that by using an anonymous or fake name they re able to get past any spamming screens. So one of the greatest challenges of any blogger is protect his readers from exasperating spam.
So, where do we go from here? Upon review of these advantages and disadvantages, I find that there is no choice but to continue to allow anonymous comments. This was a difficult decision, although, I believe, an important one. The following weighted in my decision:
- Pseudonyms have been used on this blog to protect the identity of authors so that they do not lose their day jobs.
- Anonymity is often necessary to protect the identity of readers who otherwise are afraid to share opinions about their employers and patients that would benefit the discussion at hand.
- Although it can be an arduous task, comments suspected to be spam can be removed by the administrators.
- Most anonymous comments are respectful to the author and relevant to the discussion at hand. Very few inappropriate comments are posted on this blog.
Surely it's unfortunate, but there is an inclination to be politically correct in the healthcare business; too many of us are afraid to speak the truth in lieu of fear that we may lose our jobs. Truly, political correctness, while pleasing to the ear, will nary advance any discussion in the arena of ideas.
Since this blog encourages an open discussion about the healthcare profession in general, and particularly regarding the respiratory therapy profession, I have decided to continue to allow the anonymous comment. Trust me, this was a very difficult decision, but I think it was the correct one.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
How to treat Wikepedia and Blogs
I see that Wikepedia is having a fund drive, as the following is currently on the Wikepedia Website:
Like you, I use Wikepedia as a guide for learning about various things from time to time. However, you'll rarely see me referencing Wikepedia. I usually use it as a guide, and then do my own research. For difficult to find subjects, I use the references at the bottom of each section. Although more often than not I find my own sources to verify the same information from Wikepedia, then I reference those sources.
That's the same way I'd like people to use my blog. I don't want you to take my word for anything. I want you to use my blog as a guide, or a resource, to greater information. Wherever possible I try to provide references at the bottom, or throughout my posts. You should use those for furthering your knowledge, or writing your own research papers.
You do not need to reference or credit Wikepedia or blogs in any way. However, out of respect, you should provide a note on your reference such as: the reference here was found through Wikepedia, or RT Cave, or wherever you obtained it. This humbles your research and shows that you did not come up with these references on your own.
This is not required, however, as I have never seen someone reference the library as a source of information, or a librarian. Although, if you quote a librarian, then due respect is expected.
And, obviously, if you do choose to quote Wikepedia or RT Cave, you should definitely provide the reference to your information. If you do not you are plagiarizing.
For the first 30,000 years of civilization the average person, 80 plus percent of us, were not provided access to greater information. We were kept ignorant. Even into the mid 1990s most of our news was provided by three main networks.
The Internet, and free access to it, has opened a door never before provided to the general populace, people like you and me. We should use it and use it wisely.
Dear Wikipedia readers: We are the small non-profit that runs the #5 website in the world. We have only 150 staff but serve 450 million users, and have costs like any other top site: servers, power, rent,programs, staff and legal help. To protect our independence, we'll never run ads. We take no government funds. We run on donations averaging about $30. If everyone reading this gave $5, our fundraiser would be done within an hour. Commerce is fine. Advertising is not evil. But it doesn't belong here. Not in Wikipedia. If Wikipedia is useful to you, take one minute to keep it online another year. Please help us forget fundraising and get back to Wikipedia. Thank you, from the Wikimedia Foundation. PLEASE HELPNo, this is not a post in support of Wikepedia. However, I am an arch supporter of websites like Wikepedia. While not associated with Wikepedia, the blogsophere is similar to Wikepedia: we offer facts for free. However, you have to be careful, because there's a lot of junk information on the Internet too. To filter the junk from facts, you'll have to check out the references provided. I like Wikepedia because most of what you see on that site requires references. In this way, Wikepedia is akin to any paper you'd write for English class, and deserves equal respect.
Like you, I use Wikepedia as a guide for learning about various things from time to time. However, you'll rarely see me referencing Wikepedia. I usually use it as a guide, and then do my own research. For difficult to find subjects, I use the references at the bottom of each section. Although more often than not I find my own sources to verify the same information from Wikepedia, then I reference those sources.
That's the same way I'd like people to use my blog. I don't want you to take my word for anything. I want you to use my blog as a guide, or a resource, to greater information. Wherever possible I try to provide references at the bottom, or throughout my posts. You should use those for furthering your knowledge, or writing your own research papers.
You do not need to reference or credit Wikepedia or blogs in any way. However, out of respect, you should provide a note on your reference such as: the reference here was found through Wikepedia, or RT Cave, or wherever you obtained it. This humbles your research and shows that you did not come up with these references on your own.
This is not required, however, as I have never seen someone reference the library as a source of information, or a librarian. Although, if you quote a librarian, then due respect is expected.
And, obviously, if you do choose to quote Wikepedia or RT Cave, you should definitely provide the reference to your information. If you do not you are plagiarizing.
For the first 30,000 years of civilization the average person, 80 plus percent of us, were not provided access to greater information. We were kept ignorant. Even into the mid 1990s most of our news was provided by three main networks.
The Internet, and free access to it, has opened a door never before provided to the general populace, people like you and me. We should use it and use it wisely.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Disclaimer #3
Today I'd like to list the rules of the RT Cave:
1. I have nothing to do with the ads that appear on my blog, so if you see something that offends you keep this in mind.
2. The #1 purpose for this blog is to share RT ideas, facts, opinions and humor so we can all learn in a pithy and/or entertaining manner.
3. This blog is published, edited and written by one lone night shift respiratory therapist who works full time, has three kids, and whose main mission on this planet is not as a writer, but as a husband and a dad.
4. If the author ignored his priorities (as mentioned above in #3), he would be able to delve deeper into a broader array of topics. This would be great for you guys and I'd love to do it, but it would come at the expense of time with my family, and that wouldn't be good, nor wise.
5. Due to #3 above, on occasion an error, typo, or inaccuracy may slip through the cracks. Keep in mind the editor (who's also the author) reads, re-reads, re-reads again, and again most posts. Although due to time factors, this sometimes does not occur.
6. While this isn't ideal, on occasion the publisher (who's also the writer) decides getting an idea out is more important than having an error less publication.
7. The editor has a minor in English, and therefore knows the difference between their and there. Yet, his publisher insists that he not edit while writing. Since the editor often shows up during kid time, he sometimes misses the boat at the expense of #6 above.
8. Due to #2 above, on occasion my political views become as obvious as a neon sign in a small town. While the editor makes a gallant attempt to limit this, on occasion it is necessary to make a point.
9. Besides, this is a blog, which (according to Dictionary.com) is "an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page."
10. I invite comments, and this includes criticism, praise, opinions, ideas, praise, ideas, praise, thoughts, praise...
11. The editor is committed to deleting any personal attacks. Thankfully these come seldom.
12. The publisher (who's also the writer and editor) tries to maintain a schedule for what gets posted what day, although he often violates this policy for the sake of sharing ideas that are seeping from the writer's pores and dying to get on this screen.
12. The authors writings often reflect his mood for the day. For example, if he's working he's often inclined to write about work related things. If he is on vacation he's more likely to write about something like asthma or other.
13. The frequency and length of posts often reflects upon how busy the author is. If he is burned out from working, his writings won't be as involved as when he is working and has no patients to take care of.
14. The publisher, writer and author (otherwise known as me, myself and I) try to cater to all his audiences on a regular basis, although sometimes he gets on a roll. A perfect example is last week the writer (me) didn't feel like writing about asthma, and today he doesn't feel like writing the next installment of his asthma story (that should come tomorrow).
15. I imagine these rules are true for most blogger.
I think it's important to remind my readers of this once in a while.
1. I have nothing to do with the ads that appear on my blog, so if you see something that offends you keep this in mind.
2. The #1 purpose for this blog is to share RT ideas, facts, opinions and humor so we can all learn in a pithy and/or entertaining manner.
3. This blog is published, edited and written by one lone night shift respiratory therapist who works full time, has three kids, and whose main mission on this planet is not as a writer, but as a husband and a dad.
4. If the author ignored his priorities (as mentioned above in #3), he would be able to delve deeper into a broader array of topics. This would be great for you guys and I'd love to do it, but it would come at the expense of time with my family, and that wouldn't be good, nor wise.
5. Due to #3 above, on occasion an error, typo, or inaccuracy may slip through the cracks. Keep in mind the editor (who's also the author) reads, re-reads, re-reads again, and again most posts. Although due to time factors, this sometimes does not occur.
6. While this isn't ideal, on occasion the publisher (who's also the writer) decides getting an idea out is more important than having an error less publication.
7. The editor has a minor in English, and therefore knows the difference between their and there. Yet, his publisher insists that he not edit while writing. Since the editor often shows up during kid time, he sometimes misses the boat at the expense of #6 above.
8. Due to #2 above, on occasion my political views become as obvious as a neon sign in a small town. While the editor makes a gallant attempt to limit this, on occasion it is necessary to make a point.
9. Besides, this is a blog, which (according to Dictionary.com) is "an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page."
10. I invite comments, and this includes criticism, praise, opinions, ideas, praise, ideas, praise, thoughts, praise...
11. The editor is committed to deleting any personal attacks. Thankfully these come seldom.
12. The publisher (who's also the writer and editor) tries to maintain a schedule for what gets posted what day, although he often violates this policy for the sake of sharing ideas that are seeping from the writer's pores and dying to get on this screen.
12. The authors writings often reflect his mood for the day. For example, if he's working he's often inclined to write about work related things. If he is on vacation he's more likely to write about something like asthma or other.
13. The frequency and length of posts often reflects upon how busy the author is. If he is burned out from working, his writings won't be as involved as when he is working and has no patients to take care of.
14. The publisher, writer and author (otherwise known as me, myself and I) try to cater to all his audiences on a regular basis, although sometimes he gets on a roll. A perfect example is last week the writer (me) didn't feel like writing about asthma, and today he doesn't feel like writing the next installment of his asthma story (that should come tomorrow).
15. I imagine these rules are true for most blogger.
I think it's important to remind my readers of this once in a while.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
A list of what I like about being an RT
Since I started this blog in October I have received occasional emails from students who are interested in going into the career of respiratory therapy. They tell me that some of the things I write about peek their excitement, and some of the things I write about make them wonder why I stay in this field.
I write about how doctors often order treatments for stupid reasons, and I created my list of olins at the bottom of this blog based on these stupid doctor orders.
Consider the post I wrote on Sunday, Dr. Krane knows all, hates us RTs, where I wrote about a particular doctor who doesn't have much respect for RTs.
AllClear, an RT student wrote this response: "I find postings like this everywhere on the net - the whole disrespect thing, cave thing, underdog'ish atmoshphere, yet many people -myself included- are drawn to this field. What keeps you in this field and going strong when up against the elitist attitudes you encounter?"
To be honest, there are a lot of good things about being a respiratory therapist, and I probably should spend more time writing about these -- but complaining and satire makes for much better reading.
Here is an extemporaneous list of what I love about being an RT:
I write about how doctors often order treatments for stupid reasons, and I created my list of olins at the bottom of this blog based on these stupid doctor orders.
Consider the post I wrote on Sunday, Dr. Krane knows all, hates us RTs, where I wrote about a particular doctor who doesn't have much respect for RTs.
AllClear, an RT student wrote this response: "I find postings like this everywhere on the net - the whole disrespect thing, cave thing, underdog'ish atmoshphere, yet many people -myself included- are drawn to this field. What keeps you in this field and going strong when up against the elitist attitudes you encounter?"
To be honest, there are a lot of good things about being a respiratory therapist, and I probably should spend more time writing about these -- but complaining and satire makes for much better reading.
Here is an extemporaneous list of what I love about being an RT:
- I love educating people about what they can do to prevent themselves from ever coming back to the hospital again.
- I love it when someone comes in with an asthma attack and the breathing treatment I gave makes them feel much better.
- I love it when I have a patient who is SOB and I am able to empathize with that person because I have asthma myself.
- I love it when a doctor asks me for a recommendation, and I have the answer.
- I love it when I can use my knowledge and experience to help a person who "just doesn't look right," especially when a doctor is not immediately available and something needs to be done "right now."
- I love meeting people and getting to know them. I love it when I learn about their entire lives in a short period of time.
- I love working with critical patients, and the feeling that I am the only person in the hospital (I usually work alone) who can do what I do. No one else knows how to run a BiPAP, including our doctors. No one else knows how to set up a vent.
- I love it when I tell the doctor what vent settings are best for the patient based on the cheat sheets that I made for myself, and the doctor says "that looks good to me."
- I love it when I have all my work done I can socialize with my co-workers, read, or play around on the Internet.
- I love learning about asthma and COPD and sharing my knowledge here.
- I love writing about my experiences as an RT (good and bad)
- I met my wife while working as an RT. She was an RN student following RT for the day.
- I love talking to family members about their loved one who is on life support, and explaining to them in simple terms what's going on, and what to expect from here.
- I love explaining to my vent patients what to expect from here.
- I love it when an extubated patient comes up to me and says, "Rick, I was really scared until you came into the room and explained what I should expect to happen, especially when the doctor said he was going to wean me today."
- I love it when people walk up to me in stores and say things like, "You're my little angel," or, "You saved my life."
- I love it when I am called even before the doctor because of the magic medicine I carry in my pocket.
- I love it when I am called "STAT" to ER because of the "ACLS" service we are proficient in.
- I love being an expert in a difficult and invasive procedure like suctioning and ABGs.
- I love it when I know the results of an ABG even before I draw it based on my experience.
- I love it when I can tell just by my initial assessment what's wrong with the patient.
- I love it that I know more than doctors about when a breathing treatment is indicated because I'm the one who assesses the patient before and after EVERY treatment.
- I love it when doctors and hospital administrators decide to approve RT driven protocols because they have faith in our knowledge and experience.
- I love it when a nurse calls me because she can't figure out why a person is SOB.
- I love the Rapid Response Team that allows me to use my whit to make a quick decision to save a person, or to help a nurse.
- I love telling a nurse thanks for helping me out.
- I love it when we all work together as a team to help a person.
- I love learning more about respiratory therapy.
- I love having students, and sharing with them the wisdoms I've obtained.
- I love my fellow RTs
- I love the nurses I work with
- I love the doctors who respect my ability to do my job, and allow me to do it.
- I love when it's slow and I get to sit in the waiting room and watch the Tigers or Lions.
- I love sharing my asthma knowledge with an asthmatic.
- I love talking with a COPD or asthma patient about quitting smoking.
- I love when I get called into work to help out a co-worker who's being slammed.
- I love being organized and prioritizing.
- I love the paycheck.
- I love the benefits
- I love all the PTO I get.
- I love the flexible schedule.
- I love 12 hour shifts.
- I love working 3 days a week
- I love having 6 days off in a row every other week.
- I love it when I actually look forward to going to work because I know it's been slow there. Sometimes this is like a mini vacation.
- I love it when it's hot and muggy outside and I get to go to work in the cool air conditioning.
- I love it that people can't smoke at work
- I love it that people rely on me.
The anonymous RT over at Respiratory Therapy 101 wrote Q&A post from his perspective of the job of respiratory therapy (Click here to view this Q&A) .
I agree with what he says, for the most part, except that he works for a larger hospital with much more critical patients than we get here in the small town of Shoreline.I work here because this is my hometown, and this is what my town offers. Some RTs love the milieu of the small town setting like I do, and some love the rush of a large hospital critical care or emergency room -- not that we don't get rushes here.
Personally, I love the challenge offered me here. Yet, if I lived in a city like Grand Rapids or Ann Arbor, I would probably try my luck working with pediatrics or neonates. I think that might actually be more rewarding than working with adults.One thing you have to understand about the medical field is that it is a flawed profession. While it's rewarding, you are still going to have to deal with the politics, pushy bosses who think in terms of money, the occasional arrogant co-worker, and doctors who order therapies for reasons that are non-scientific.
However, at the same time, these same administrators, arrogant co-workers and doctors that I make fun of on this blog do many great things that I certainly wouldn't be willing to do. Like the scheduler who has no choice but call people at 2 a.m. and risk every person in the department hating her. Or the doctor who makes fluent decisions to save a life, and has to carry a beeper 24-7.
I do not write enough on this blog of all the good things about being an RT; about working in a hospital. I will continue to write about the challenges, the rewards, the interesting cases and interesting people. I will continue to write about the diseases and RT educational materials.
But, so long as this remains a flawed profession, I will have no choice but to report on that part of the field too.
This profession has continued to grow since the days of the infamous Iron Lung, and the only way we will continue to grow as a profession is if someone is available to make doctors and administrators aware of their flaws, so we can work together to find a solution.
Plus it's fun to write satire about stupid doctor orders and inexplicable administrative decisions.
So, while it is flawed as probably all medical jobs are, or any other job for that matter, it is a challenging and rewarding profession at the same time, worth my time and effort. And if I had a chance to go back and do it all over, I'd probably go the same route.
It's also a good job for you too, if you can handle the challenge.
Friday, June 13, 2008
A note to my readers: A disclaimer
I am the kind of person who loves to have all the facts on the table, whether I agree with them or not, and from there I like to make an educated decision. Of course, when it comes to respiratory therapy, I have my own personal experiences to consider too.
I would like people to consider this as they read this blog. From my own observation as an RT, I see many times a breathing treatment is ordered for reasons that I think are stupid. But that does not mean that I do not do the treatments when I am ordered to do them.
Likewise, while I have often had qualms with doctors leaving COPD patients on 2lpm when their sats are in the low 80s, I have to leave the oxygen on 2lpm if that is what the doctor has ordered. Doing otherwise would more or less cost me my job and my licence.
That said, I still like to keep up on the latest scientific research and theories. If nothing else, I can question the doctor to have him tell me to go stuff my opinion in a closet. That's fine. Or maybe we can slowly but surely educate people as to new theories.
I have succeeded here too. We here at the RT Cave have finally convinced our RT bosses that a protocol is needed, and we will in the near future start the process of obtaining one. This is one small step in the right direction.
However, as our director said, a protocol could backfire on us. It could make our workload go up. It could also make our workload go down and force the bosses to lay off RTs. Who knows.
But that is exactly why we do not endorse any one particular theory here at the RT Cave, we like to learn and to discuss. That's what this blog is about. We like to come up with new ideas. I like to come up with the latest information.
And then we can consider them, and even debate them in the arena of ideas, of which this blog is a part of.
And that is why I blog. I do not blog to convince you guys that I am right all the time. I am smart enough to know that many of you probably disagree with me a good portion of the time. That's fine.
Thus, when I write about the hypoxic drive theory, and set forth facts to support it and some to prove it is not true, I do so in an effort to educate myself first, and, as a result, I like to share what I learn on my blog, and you guys can maybe learn something too.
I also like to share my experiences. In my opinion, I may be right and I may be wrong. And when I'm wrong, some of you guys are quick to tell me. You are also quick to tell me when I write something that doesn't make sense. Cool.
The fact is, I've learned from your many comments and emails too. After all, I don't have an editor here to tell me when I don't make sense. I don't want one either, because then this would be a job and not just a hobby.
And while I try to be as factual in what I write as possible, and while I am always 100% honest and humble in my writings, I am just a blogger. I am a respiratory therapist with a brain, plenty of experience, a great education, a desire to learn, and a passion for writing.
But please understand that I am not a doctor and I am not a scientist and I am not a researcher and I have never participated in an experiment in my adult life, nor do I do them. I am, as my banner states, a humble RT.
Yes, and it doesn't help that I'm an asthmatic too, so I have an opinion on breathing therapies and medicines from that perspective too. In this way, I have plenty of empathy for my patients. And, as you have witnessed from some of my writings, that certain touch of stubbornness some of us develop.
I want you guys to take what I write about here and discuss it amongst yourselves, to enrich your knowledge base, and to further your studies. Or, you can use it as simple entertainment.
I never did put a disclaimer on this blog as other bloggers have. So, I suppose, I will make this my disclaimer.
I would like people to consider this as they read this blog. From my own observation as an RT, I see many times a breathing treatment is ordered for reasons that I think are stupid. But that does not mean that I do not do the treatments when I am ordered to do them.
Likewise, while I have often had qualms with doctors leaving COPD patients on 2lpm when their sats are in the low 80s, I have to leave the oxygen on 2lpm if that is what the doctor has ordered. Doing otherwise would more or less cost me my job and my licence.
That said, I still like to keep up on the latest scientific research and theories. If nothing else, I can question the doctor to have him tell me to go stuff my opinion in a closet. That's fine. Or maybe we can slowly but surely educate people as to new theories.
I have succeeded here too. We here at the RT Cave have finally convinced our RT bosses that a protocol is needed, and we will in the near future start the process of obtaining one. This is one small step in the right direction.
However, as our director said, a protocol could backfire on us. It could make our workload go up. It could also make our workload go down and force the bosses to lay off RTs. Who knows.
But that is exactly why we do not endorse any one particular theory here at the RT Cave, we like to learn and to discuss. That's what this blog is about. We like to come up with new ideas. I like to come up with the latest information.
And then we can consider them, and even debate them in the arena of ideas, of which this blog is a part of.
And that is why I blog. I do not blog to convince you guys that I am right all the time. I am smart enough to know that many of you probably disagree with me a good portion of the time. That's fine.
Thus, when I write about the hypoxic drive theory, and set forth facts to support it and some to prove it is not true, I do so in an effort to educate myself first, and, as a result, I like to share what I learn on my blog, and you guys can maybe learn something too.
I also like to share my experiences. In my opinion, I may be right and I may be wrong. And when I'm wrong, some of you guys are quick to tell me. You are also quick to tell me when I write something that doesn't make sense. Cool.
The fact is, I've learned from your many comments and emails too. After all, I don't have an editor here to tell me when I don't make sense. I don't want one either, because then this would be a job and not just a hobby.
And while I try to be as factual in what I write as possible, and while I am always 100% honest and humble in my writings, I am just a blogger. I am a respiratory therapist with a brain, plenty of experience, a great education, a desire to learn, and a passion for writing.
But please understand that I am not a doctor and I am not a scientist and I am not a researcher and I have never participated in an experiment in my adult life, nor do I do them. I am, as my banner states, a humble RT.
Yes, and it doesn't help that I'm an asthmatic too, so I have an opinion on breathing therapies and medicines from that perspective too. In this way, I have plenty of empathy for my patients. And, as you have witnessed from some of my writings, that certain touch of stubbornness some of us develop.
I want you guys to take what I write about here and discuss it amongst yourselves, to enrich your knowledge base, and to further your studies. Or, you can use it as simple entertainment.
I never did put a disclaimer on this blog as other bloggers have. So, I suppose, I will make this my disclaimer.
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