3 ms·

> I do not understand why there is a huge gap between scientific knowledge and physicians. Why do you assume physicians are making their treatment decision bas

by rkk3 5y ago

> I do not understand why there is a huge gap between scientific knowledge and physicians. Why do you assume physicians are making their treatment decision based on gaps in their scientific knowledge or incompetence? I am not a physician, but a major factor you are completely ignoring is liability. By prescribing/treating aggressively they know they are guaranteeing negative side effects that may be unnecessary. But they need to weigh that against chance of a terrible outcome for the patient & potentially loosing their livelihood.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
avgDev 5y ago
I don't think you read the complete post. Let's take fluoroquinolones for example. It is an extremely dangerous antibiotic, no longer recommended as a first line treatment for simple infection. Yet, patients are being prescribed it for SUSPECTED unconfirmed infections. This screams either incompetent physician or lack of familiarity with current scientific knowledge/new guidelines.
- rkk3 5y ago
  > Let's take fluoroquinolones for example. It is an extremely dangerous antibiotic, no longer recommended as a first line treatment for simple infection. Yet, patients are being prescribed it for SUSPECTED unconfirmed infections. This screams either incompetent physician or lack of familiarity with current scientific knowledge/new guidelines. Which is the same example you gave in your first post... > Yet, patients are being prescribed it for SUSPECTED unconfirmed infections. AFAIK bacterial infections are in-practice often only suspected not confirmed before prescribing anti-biotics so why emphasize this? Like I said I think you are ignoring other incentives (Malpractice Risk, Bias for action etc.) at play that cause a Physician to look at the same situation and come to a more aggressive treatment plan than your armchair diagnosis.
  - avgDev 5y ago
    >AFAIK bacterial infections are in-practice often only suspected not confirmed before prescribing anti-biotics so why emphasize this? It does happen but is a HUGE problem in medicine. This doesn't mean this is the CORRECT procedure and exactly what I am talking about. Infection should be confirmed and correct antibiotic used. Plus, not all infections require antibiotics. >Like I said I think you are ignoring other incentives (Malpractice Risk, Bias for action etc.) at play that cause a Physician to look at the same situation and come to a more aggressive treatment plan than your armchair diagnosis. By not following guidelines and prescribing wrong medication or when medication does not help a specific problem the physician is a lot more likely to be sued if patient suffers from side effects.

by rkk3 5y ago

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

avgDev 5y ago

I don't think you read the complete post. Let's take fluoroquinolones for example. It is an extremely dangerous antibiotic, no longer recommended as a first line treatment for simple infection. Yet, patients are being prescribed it for SUSPECTED unconfirmed infections. This screams either incompetent physician or lack of familiarity with current scientific knowledge/new guidelines.

rkk3 5y ago
> Let's take fluoroquinolones for example. It is an extremely dangerous antibiotic, no longer recommended as a first line treatment for simple infection. Yet, patients are being prescribed it for SUSPECTED unconfirmed infections. This screams either incompetent physician or lack of familiarity with current scientific knowledge/new guidelines. Which is the same example you gave in your first post... > Yet, patients are being prescribed it for SUSPECTED unconfirmed infections. AFAIK bacterial infections are in-practice often only suspected not confirmed before prescribing anti-biotics so why emphasize this? Like I said I think you are ignoring other incentives (Malpractice Risk, Bias for action etc.) at play that cause a Physician to look at the same situation and come to a more aggressive treatment plan than your armchair diagnosis.
- avgDev 5y ago
  >AFAIK bacterial infections are in-practice often only suspected not confirmed before prescribing anti-biotics so why emphasize this? It does happen but is a HUGE problem in medicine. This doesn't mean this is the CORRECT procedure and exactly what I am talking about. Infection should be confirmed and correct antibiotic used. Plus, not all infections require antibiotics. >Like I said I think you are ignoring other incentives (Malpractice Risk, Bias for action etc.) at play that cause a Physician to look at the same situation and come to a more aggressive treatment plan than your armchair diagnosis. By not following guidelines and prescribing wrong medication or when medication does not help a specific problem the physician is a lot more likely to be sued if patient suffers from side effects.