Does Advice of Regular Family Doctor Trump Emergency Room Doctor's Advice

[david623]

My question involves medical malpractice in the state of: Arizona

My child's regular practitioner said that discontinuing a particular medicine would be life threatening. My child's emergency room doctor said the opposite. She said that continuing the medicine would be life threatening. We were in touch by phone with the regular practitioner at the time.

Is there case law that speaks to this issue? If so, how can I find it?

Thanks...

[cbg]

No, there is no case law that automatically gives more credence to one doctor over another.

[lealea1005]

I agree with cbg.
However, your child's regular Physician has an ongoing relationship with you & your child, and knows his/her entire medical history. The ER Physician treats on an episodic basis, meaning they treat the acute symptoms your child presents with at the ER. The ER does not offer follow up or ongoing treatment. Just a thought.

[drthyrd]

In all fields, including medicine, practicioners have differing opinions on how to handles complex situations with multiple variables and a variety of treatment options each with their own set of risks. It might be time for a third opinion from a specialist in whatever the child's condition is. Some ER doctors have a specialty in addition to emergency medicine. The advice of the ER doc could be more accurate than the pediatrician if by chance the ailment in question was his/her specialty. Or, per other posters, the pediatrician might better udnerstand the condition based on history, etc. With two doctors saying your child's life is at risk if you continue opposite courses of treatment, I would not feel comfortable without additional information from a bonified expert in the condition ASAP.