Quote:
Originally Posted by KC Tattoo
Being naive and stupid grunt is no excuse not to "ask" questions about any side effects a drug may have long term. I mean the players go to college so they can't be that stupid right?
They have a choice to play a physical game. They have a choice to put legal or illegal forms of drugs into their bodies. I don't believe they are forced to take the medicine but they know it helps them over the pain to keep playing.
It's our choice to be a fan it is their choice to be players. No sympathy from me.
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I would have to respectfully disagree.
First, The idea behind "informed consent" is that the players were properly informed of both the benefits and risks of medications they were given. The players are arguing that they were not properly informed of the risks, and thus their consent for taking the medication (and following the medical management) was invalid.
Second, Not only is the above issue an ethical problem, but so is the power structure set up by the NFL. Most of the team physicians were not independent, but hired by the team. Ultimately, the health care providers decisions should be made in the best interest of the patient, and not the employer (team). That may not have been always the case.
Third, players are under tremendous pressure to play. The NFL is known as "Not For Long", and a player who is injured (or refuses to play injured) is looked down on by management, fans, and sometimes other players. Some of those decisions (such as with concussions) should be taken out of the players and management hands, and looked at by an independent physician that is following a protocol that protects the patient.
The deeper issue and question is how much long term injury is acceptable to feed our blood lust and entertainment. No true NFL fan wants to see the game turn into flag football, but no true NFL fan should want to see the players they idolize and cherish suffer in their later years with serious medical conditions that could have been prevented.
As for me, I have no respect for health care providers that dont put their patients first. Those who knowingly jeopardized the health of their patients, and who did not get informed consent should face consequences for their actions.