[Newbiesaukee]

To follow up on the preceding, it is, IMO, irresponsible for a physician to prescribe prednisone over the phone without seeing the patient. This is allowing the patient to make the diagnosis. I know everyone seems to be sure what the diagnosis is...."oh, it is only poison ivy, why do you have to see it." " I know it is hives from eating shellfish, I always get it." " I don't need to come in, you just want me to come in for an office visit." "I know 'duck itch' when I see it, my friend had the same thing and her doctor prescribed prednisone and cleared it right up!"

As a retired dermatologist I cannot tell you how many times patients have been "absolutely certain" of what they have only to have me tell them(when I see them) that their "poison ivy" is shingles, their "duck itch" is impetigo. Prednisone is not an innocuous drug, look up the list of side effects.

I am not defending the medical profession, I don't want to get into the politics of health care, and sometimes people do receive poor medical care and deal with arrogant doctors. But sometimes, when the physician says you need to be seen, you really do need to be seen. If the physicians first responsibility is to "do no harm," prednisone over the phone for a NEW problem is not responsible medicine.