Patients come to my office already informed about current HCV treatment. Many are referred to me by physicians expecting me to treat them. The drugs are safe and effective and approved by the F.D.A. Although I still feel we are overtreating, my arguments for holding back have been somewhat dismantled by the new pharmaceutical developments. Am I now at the vanguard of the Medical Industrial Complex?
2012:
2018:
April 15, 2018
Why I Now Treat Hepatitis C Patients
Michael Kirsch, M.D.
In a prior post, I shared my heretofore reluctance to prescribe medications to my Hepatitis C (HCV) patients. In summary, after consideration of the risks and benefits of the available options, I could not persuade myself – or my patients – to pull the trigger. These patients were made aware of my conservative philosophy of medical practice. I offered every one of them an opportunity to consult with another specialist who had a different view on the value of HCV treatment.
I do believe that there is a medical industrial complex that is flowing across the country like hot steaming lava. While I have evolved in many ways professionally over the years, I have remained steadfast that less medical care generally results in better outcomes.
In a prior post, I shared my heretofore reluctance to prescribe medications to my Hepatitis C (HCV) patients. In summary, after consideration of the risks and benefits of the available options, I could not persuade myself – or my patients – to pull the trigger. These patients were made aware of my conservative philosophy of medical practice. I offered every one of them an opportunity to consult with another specialist who had a different view on the value of HCV treatment.
I do believe that there is a medical industrial complex that is flowing across the country like hot steaming lava. While I have evolved in many ways professionally over the years, I have remained steadfast that less medical care generally results in better outcomes.
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