Talk to any medical professional - doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, nurse aides - and you'll hear stories of the many times he or she has been approached for FREE medical advice. Talk to any person who works with tools - carpenters, plumbers, electricians, gardeners, cooks - and you'll find the same stories, concerning those who want the free help. I know that lawyers also, perhaps more than the others, have frequent requests for free law advice.
Why is that? Is it that these matters are so trivial they're not worth paying someone? Or, is it that the folks involved are too cheap to pay! Speaking for the medical community, I can say that it's very risky business to give medical advice out of the office or hospital. The friend or neighbor who asks for help really doesn't want a physical exam for himself or herself, or for their child in question. They just want a judgment if the problem is serious or not. And, if they're asking a physician or nurse practitioner, they want a prescription called in for them. What they don't know is that there are so many, many things their problem could be, so many rare complications that need to be considered, that it takes a careful exam and usually lab work before a diagnosis can be given and treatment prescribed.
I, a nurse, could lose my license if I give medical advice. A physician could be sued if his or her advice is wrong, as could all of us. When asked about a particular problem, I usually will send the person to a physician or to the emergency room. Several times I have strongly advised, "You better call '911' now, if you want to live!"
A doctor-friend of mine reports frequent requests for narcotic painkiller prescriptions, when not in his office. He denies them all and is particularly annoyed by requests for a specific narcotic. He says, "If you're really in pain, you'll take anything. I refuse to be a party to helping an addict."
Sure, it costs us to see a doctor, hire an electrician, or whatever we can't do ourselves. But, in the end, we probably save money by 1) not letting the problem get compounded or 2) doing it right, the first time. Cheers for those who know what they're doing!!
Lord, we need your help here, if something physically or mentally is bothering us or a child of ours, help us see the proper professional. If we're in emotional or spiritual pain, help us seek out our priest or minister. Most of all, help us choose healthy habits in all these areas, even if its just a small improvement now and then. We know we need to be in top shape to do all the exciting things You've planned for us!
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