Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
From Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primum_non_nocere
"given an existing problem, it may be better not to do something, or even to do nothing, than to risk causing more harm than good"
While this is often touted as being a basic rule of the medical profession, I think many of us would argue that it is very often not the case.
And I'm not just talking about HCV. Prostate cancer is a great example. For years the standard procedure was to operate, leaving men with a horrible quality of life. And for most it was unnecessary, death would have been from other cause.
It seems to me we have a supply side system of healthcare. If there is a treatment or drug available, doctors will use it. There has to be a return on investment for expensive drugs and machines.
I always cringe inside when the doctor orders a slew of tests and procedures. Have any of you ever objected?
Thoughts and experiences?
Bob
"given an existing problem, it may be better not to do something, or even to do nothing, than to risk causing more harm than good"
While this is often touted as being a basic rule of the medical profession, I think many of us would argue that it is very often not the case.
And I'm not just talking about HCV. Prostate cancer is a great example. For years the standard procedure was to operate, leaving men with a horrible quality of life. And for most it was unnecessary, death would have been from other cause.
It seems to me we have a supply side system of healthcare. If there is a treatment or drug available, doctors will use it. There has to be a return on investment for expensive drugs and machines.
I always cringe inside when the doctor orders a slew of tests and procedures. Have any of you ever objected?
Thoughts and experiences?
Bob
"There are as many as 13 layers of vendors between the physician and the patient for a hip replacement..."
I read the Times article and I truly don't understand how no one seems bothered by this...sigh...
never mind, as you were...
It's not like our government has a great record of controlling costs in other endeavors.
Bob
Do you think it's fair that I should be charged more than they'd charge a multimillion dollar corporation???
This is fucking crazy to rest of the civilized who can't imagine how much access to healthcare controls our lives/destinies.
OK really, hush kat....
And yet at the same time, we need to become more vigilant than ever to find any alternatives that will indeed work...
So I take it you were up all night also last Sunday watching?? Did you also catch the premier of Hell on wheels??? Crazy night indeed!
Respectfully,
HANK