From “do no harm” to “reduce harm.” It’s time to change the paradigm

The concept of “First, do no harm,” which is embedded in the oath that kicks off the careers of most new doctors in America, has become something of a surrogate for the practice of medicine. But it’s something of a false promise. Doctors routinely cause their patients harm. The oath we should be taking is, “Help others with as little harm as possible.” We live in a world of harm — from car accidents to recreational drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, unhealthy diets, and lack of exercise. The list goes on. In treating the outcomes of these hazards, the goal as a physician should be to reduce harm. Take obesity as an example. This widespread health risk is an important underlying cause of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions. When counseling patients about weight loss fails, as it often does, we turn to interventions like diet pills and gastric bypass surgery. While they can help people lose weight and reduce the risk of developing obesity-related complications, these treatments aren’t without harm. Instead, they can be accompanied by significant side effects and can even by deadly. Nonetheless, we accept these risks as a way to reduce the harm of obesity, compared to the known risk of death and disease associated with morbid obesity. 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: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Primary care Source Type: blogs