5 ms·
I think part of it, but also not the entire story. Take cancer, for example. The treatment is so toxic (potentially deadly) that we want to make sure that our
by joshgel 7y ago
I think part of it, but also not the entire story.
Take cancer, for example. The treatment is so toxic (potentially deadly) that we want to make sure that our diagnosis is as close to 100% as possible. To the point where if you want to transfer where you get your chemotherapy, the new place will insist that you bring not just the biopsy report that shows that you have cancer, but the actual 'slides', the actual biopsy tissue for them to independently evaluate.
Contrast this with MS where there is virtually no therapy (until recently), the tests themselves are very expensive (multiple MRIs over time) and the tests aren't even that much better than just talking to the patient and examining them. But, both the MRIs and the clinical exams/interviews require multiple visits, sometimes with years of monitoring in between to truly make the diagnosis.
The system just doesn't incent this type of care and certainly doesn't reimburse it very well. Patients want answers and answers now. Doctors are hurried. Insurances change so you have to change networks, etc, etc, etc.
- fao_ 7y ago> The treatment is so toxic (potentially deadly) that we want to make sure that our diagnosis is as close to 100% as possible. I think you're ignoring how obscure some symptoms of cancer are, though. My cousin went back and forth with the doctor about a recurring cough, for 3 or 4 years. It turned out to be bowel cancer, and while they did treat it, it was too late by the time anyone in the medical system thought of that. The only indication that would point them towards bowel cancer, was the medical history of her family, her grandmother had it too. She was rather young as well, late 20s/early 30s, so they just didn't consider it.
- refurb 7y agoContrast this with MS where there is virtually no therapy (until recently) There have been approved therapies for MS since the mid-90s.