Quote:
Originally Posted by Moneyguy1
This begs a question:
Why do Doctors prescribe an antibiotic to a patient simply because the patient wants it? Who is in charge here, the expert or the patient? Seems as if this "defensive medicine" idea is going too far.
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1. Patient is in charge. Always. I'm just here to advise, and intervene if requested.
2. Patients frequently think they're experts. I get that attitude on a daily basis.
3. We live in a society where it's OK to overtreat, as it looks like you've done everything possible (even doing stuff that wasn't really necessary). But it's not so OK to undertreat, as it looks like you don't know what you're doing. If you overtreat (erroneously provide care where it wasn't truly necessary), there are negatives--but they're long-term items that don't directly impact the patient in the immediate future. If you undertreat (erroneously not provide care where it was indicated), there are also negatives--but the price that has to be paid is much more immediate and personal to the patient. So it's socially easier to "err of the side of caution" and overtreat. You're a lot less likely to get sued for overtreating than the other way around.