How objective are we when we counsel our patients with regards to options of treatment. The bias one has as we get older, technology availabilty, expertise, ignorance, financial and other benefits cloud ones Lt. frontal lobe.
The way out would be objective independent audits published by the department for the patient to compare the local results with the best international to make a choice. The science editors in the newspapers follow what the advertising company tells them without an indepedent check. The not so recent advert about key hole knee replacement is an example where even The Hindu Newspaper printed the same. The nexus between service providers and customers (MRI, CT scans, lab tests and commission paid to doctors for referral) are compromising the quality of care.
Orthopedic training to pass the exams are akin to entrance coaching( The license to cut). No lateral or objective thinking. The examiners both young and old still want students to mug up all those lines(Chinnies) and tests like Thomas and Bryants triangle etc which has no relevance today. The discussions on objective management are short and swift. Medical colleges both Govt. and private are not being objective to improve and inspire future doctors. If we do not give the best inspired training we ourselves will be the geriatric guniea pig in time.
Relicensing was talked about some time back. At least mandatory seminars to qualify. Not just holiday trips for chilling, wife's shopping etc.. Lectures given from text books which are ancient as atharavveda. Lecturers selected for their age and contacts,marketing potential and not for quality. Conferences to market, advertise and now to make money as one's primary trade is less renumerative or is it multi tasking. Where are we heading?
Jake