The Proportion of Medical Procedures Unsupported by Evidence May be Nearly Half

December 31st, 2017

Via: Vox:

The recent news that stents inserted in patients with heart disease to keep arteries open work no better than a placebo ought to be shocking. Each year, hundreds of thousands of American patients receive stents for the relief of chest pain, and the cost of the procedure ranges from $11,000 to $41,000 in US hospitals.

But in fact, American doctors routinely prescribe medical treatments that are not based on sound science.

The stent controversy serves as a reminder that the United States struggles when it comes to winnowing evidence-based treatments from the ineffective chaff. As surgeon and health care researcher Atul Gawande observes, “Millions of people are receiving drugs that aren’t helping them, operations that aren’t going to make them better, and scans and tests that do nothing beneficial for them, and often cause harm.”

2 Responses to “The Proportion of Medical Procedures Unsupported by Evidence May be Nearly Half”

  1. Eileen says:

    Hi Kevin,

    Have had an “education” this year. Mammograms, dexiscans, all of these tests that have caused me more harm than good.

    All involved radiation that I’ve told my health care providers I didn’t want. Seems my “health care providers” are more interested in raking in dollars from my insurance provider than anything else.

    I’ve fought these tests and am demoralized and am starting to feel that I have become a member of the “sheeple club.” I’ve gone along with it all. Not without protestation. But its all been quite a demoralizing experience.

    Dr. Mercola has helped me A LOT. Am going to start a clinical trial of ONE taking AHCC.

    Have had it with the MD’s. Going to go to DO’s from now on, and if they don’t want to listen to the results of my research into my various maladies, they can quite frankly, KISS MY ASS,

    You all have a glorious New Year,

  2. Kevin says:

    I saw a picture of an old friend of mine after he had been on statins for two years. Obviously, for his privacy, I’m not able to post the before and after pictures, but holy shit man… He looks like a death camp survivor now. If I didn’t know it was him, I wouldn’t be able to recognize him now.

    My wife and I like to know that doctors are available for emergencies, broken limbs, etc. but we stay far away from them otherwise.

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