I have just come across this 'documentary' via a google alert. http://firstnoharm.wordpress.com/film/ I haven't seen it but it looks like a major piece of ill-informed propaganda by 'doctors' & 'experts' - all with one view-point it would appear!

Has anyone actually seen this? I would be interested to know what you think and what the potential impact could be given that this film's message is for patients to refuse transfusion at all costs.

There is a review here http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/movies/primum-non-nocere-first-do-no-harm-by-james-reynolds.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

The reviewer does say that a counter argument would have been beneficial but still ends with 'Still, “Primum” makes its point clear: If ever in a position to choose, a patient should just say no to transfusions'!

Robina

Ill-informed? The people in that film are experts in the field. They know what they are talking about. I would say the film does look bias, one-sided, but it's not saying to patients to always avoid transfusion, it's about making sure that this inherently hazardous (and expensive) medical procedure is used only when absolutely necessary. Anyway, we all need to get up to date with the latest scientific research regarding transfusions. I look forward to seeing this film and reading some critical reviews of it.

Here's a few articles (abstract) from pubmed.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21449243

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22901922

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http://www.augustarx.com/news/?tag=primum-non-nocere

Patient blood management sites

http://www.sabm.org/

http://www.bloodmanagement.com/

Edited October 6, 201212 yr by John1975
added link