Trick or Treat - a survival guide to health care
25 Boasting in health care The Boasting Traveller:
A man once travelled overseas and visited many
countries. On his return, he spoke of the wonderful things he had done abroad. "I
took part in a jumping competition at Rhodes. I did such a wonderful long jump
that no one could beat it.� When he sensed that some listeners were unconvinced, he said, "You ask any one in Rhodes and he will tell you it is true.� A listener retorted,
"My dear friend, we need not go to Rhodes to verify if it is true. Let us imagine
that this is Rhodes. Now jump and show us your prowess."
Dr Singh, an ophthalmic surgeon trained in Russia, joined a corporate hospital in
India. "Revolutionary Laser Surgery for short sight! The most successful Laser Surgeon
joins Hygea hospital" said the advertisements. The media sang praises for Dr Singh: "Trained in Russia. Has 100% success rate!", "One of the most successful keratotomy
surgeon in the world!", etc. Without verifying the facts, myopics registered in large
numbers for the latest surgery. Quite a few of them had adverse effects after the surgery. A few unfortunate ones lost vision in the operated eye. When the truth could no longer
be suppressed, the surgeon vanished and the laser centre was closed down. Comments
The health care industry boasts and promotes itself to attract clients. Some
researchers boast about experimental drugs or procedures to gain fame or to get volunteers for their study. The drug industry may boast about their products to coax
doctors to use them uncritically. Quite a few of the top 100 drugs sold in India do not 77
