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TexasTowelie

(111,300 posts)
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 07:00 PM Mar 2019

Pediatrician Paul Thomas Has 15K Patients--and He Tells Them the Measles Vaccine Might Cause Autism

Years ago, Paul Thomas stopped socializing with other pediatricians. All doctors, really.

"I avoid them because they give you that 'you dumbshit' look," he says. "They look down their nose at you like you're the scum of the earth. You can only expose yourself to so much abuse. Like, who needs this?"

Thomas, 61, is an Ivy League-educated pediatrician with more than 30 years of experience. He's built a robust Beaverton practice and is the author of an influential book.

He is also Oregon's leading dissenter from scientific consensus. He is on a crusade, one many Oregonians blame for reviving measles and sparking outbreaks of whooping cough in the 21st century.

Read more: https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/03/20/pediatrician-paul-thomas-has-15000-patients-and-he-tells-them-the-measles-vaccine-might-cause-autism/

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Pediatrician Paul Thomas Has 15K Patients--and He Tells Them the Measles Vaccine Might Cause Autism (Original Post) TexasTowelie Mar 2019 OP
"they give you that 'you dumbshit' look" TwilightZone Mar 2019 #1
15,000 patients? He's like a one-man epidemic. marylandblue Mar 2019 #2
Reminds me of the "scientists" who sell out to evangelicals to proselytize about creationism... Moostache Mar 2019 #3
As a Doctor, it is Stunning He Would Promote an Idea without any Medical Research to Support it dlk Mar 2019 #4
He's not the only doctor doing this. marylandblue Mar 2019 #7
IIRC, Wakefield did not retract the study. 3catwoman3 Mar 2019 #9
In This Age of Fake News, We Apparently Now Have Fake Science dlk Mar 2019 #10
I'm surprised it hasn't lost him a lot of business. TwilightZone Mar 2019 #5
Anti-vaxxers seek out this kind of doctor. marylandblue Mar 2019 #8
So let me get this straight. Wellstone ruled Mar 2019 #6

TwilightZone

(25,342 posts)
1. "they give you that 'you dumbshit' look"
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 07:04 PM
Mar 2019

If you don't want them to give you the "you dumbshit" look, stop being a dumbshit.

There's a reason they're giving you that look, dumbshit. It's because, well, you're a dumbshit.

Moostache

(9,895 posts)
3. Reminds me of the "scientists" who sell out to evangelicals to proselytize about creationism...
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 07:08 PM
Mar 2019

Its easy money...tell them what they want to hear and take them adulation, money and pseudo-fame.

Worked with cigarettes, still working with climate science, still trying it with creationists....same playbook every fucking time...throw dirt and mud into the debate to confuse the issue, claim legitimacy through association with someone surface-level legit...lather, rinse, repeat...

Its all a bunch of shit.

dlk

(11,435 posts)
4. As a Doctor, it is Stunning He Would Promote an Idea without any Medical Research to Support it
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 07:13 PM
Mar 2019

There isn't a single legitimate medical research study, anywhere, that supports the irrational idea that the measles vaccine is in any way connected to autism. Rumors and folklore don't count. The doctor who published the bogus study in the UK that purportedly connected the measles vaccine with autism, Andrew Wakefield, not only retracted the study, he lost his medical license. It's understandable how parents of autistic children are desperate for answers. Sadly, this isn't one. Promoting this ignorance causes so much unnecessary harm. Someone should take a good look at Dr. Thomas' license for violating his oath to first do no harm, and putting children at risk.

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)
7. He's not the only doctor doing this.
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 07:56 PM
Mar 2019

Maybe the state medicals boards should start cracking down on this.

3catwoman3

(23,815 posts)
9. IIRC, Wakefield did not retract the study.
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 09:09 PM
Mar 2019
The Lancet medical journal did, and the 11 other researchers recanted, saying they had been wrong.

Wakefield still has lots of followers. Lives in the US now.

TwilightZone

(25,342 posts)
5. I'm surprised it hasn't lost him a lot of business.
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 07:16 PM
Mar 2019

I'd be looking for a new doctor, stat.

Though, with 15k patients, losing a few would probably improve his practice.

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)
8. Anti-vaxxers seek out this kind of doctor.
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 07:59 PM
Mar 2019

Regular pediatricians pressure you to vaccinate and some have a policy of turning away anti-vaxxers.

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
6. So let me get this straight.
Thu Mar 28, 2019, 07:31 PM
Mar 2019

No shot,huh,but my chances of getting a Heart defect is okay. How many here remember the Measles epidemic of the early 1950's and again in the early 70's. How many have friends who developed Heart Murmurs or Scarlet Fever.

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