The first thing that comes to my hyper paranoid mind is what would happen, for example, if the lithium did seem to work for these patients. Who would then prescribe the lithium, and based on what? If it isn't supported by ordinary studies (let's assume it isn't) and it's not even remotely standard of care, then there's going to be some trouble.
So I'm a progressive doctor, and I look this data over and I say to give it a try; and the patient dies of lithium toxicity. Seems like they have a good case against me.
I do think it's a defensible maneuver (they could still sue me, though) but... (read more)
The first thing that comes to my hyper paranoid mind is what would happen, for example, if the lithium did seem to work for these patients. Who would then prescribe the lithium, and based on what? If it isn't supported by ordinary studies (let's assume it isn't) and it's not even remotely standard of care, then there's going to be some trouble.
So I'm a progressive doctor, and I look this data over and I say to give it a try; and the patient dies of lithium toxicity. Seems like they have a good case against me.
I do think it's a defensible maneuver (they could still sue me, though) but... (read more)