Posted by Cam W. on February 14, 2001, at 6:50:59
In reply to Re: Board for oldtimers -- and other carrots, posted by Rzip on February 14, 2001, at 1:54:59
Rzip - Unfortunately, most experts are incredibly busy (either doing research or, don't take this the wrong way - "empire building"). It seems no one does this stuff for free, unless they're nobodys (like me and others on this board who post advice). Even regular pdocs command rate of $500.00 per hour for speaking. The "Names" you know charge a lot more.
To get them to come to our little part of the world for free would not be easy. So then you have to get a sponsor (ie a major drug company). Then you have to convince the drug company to pay an expert to talk to a bunch of "patients" who really have no say over what their doctor writes. Drug companies figure they get more bang for their buck by presenting to your doctor, rather than you, as they write the prescriptions (ie prescriptions for their drugs).
Hell, I give lectures for drug companies now, but it took 4 years to convince them that I knew more about psych meds than most GPs. I still get a rate no where near what a "ordinary" pdoc does.
Part 2 to this equation is time. One needs to have time prepare for something like this. Many off-the-cuff answers have taken hours to research. Even general refamiliarizing and updating oneself with the topic is a couple hour job (if done properly), even if you deal with the topic every day.
I hate to be a pessimist, because I do like the idea. It's just that we have nothing to dangle in front any experts, to entice them to come.
- Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:619
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20001124/msgs/648.html