For quality experts, a point of tension with ProPublica

Recently, I was speaking with a less is more advocate. He used his superior knowledge of statistics — he had an MPH — to debunk randomized controlled trials. We discussed overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and the shakiness of medical sciences. We spoke about measuring the quality of physicians. I remarked that quality metrics have as much evidence as Garcinia Cambogia — we had just laughed about Dr. Oz. I expected a chuckle. Instead, he became distinctly uncomfortable and, in a solemn tone, lectured me about the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, “To Err is Human.” The physician, a bulldog of evidence-based medicine (EBM), had a blind spot. He ripped cardiologists for overusing pacemakers. He believed in the usefulness of the physician quality reporting system. He disdained big pharma for pushing statins. He was a fan of maintenance of certification. He was at once a raging skeptic and a true believer. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Surgery Source Type: blogs