Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science

I cam across a really interesting article last night, which raises the concern of how prominent ethical issues are in medicine, even in modern society.

"In 2001, rumors were circulating in Greek hospitals that surgery residents, eager to rack up scalpel time, were falsely diagnosing hapless Albanian immigrants with appendicitis. At the University of Ioannina medical school’s teaching hospital, a newly minted doctor named Athina Tatsioni was discussing the rumors with colleagues when a professor who had overheard asked her if she’d like to try to prove whether they were true—he seemed to be almost daring her. She accepted the challenge and, with the professor’s and other colleagues’ help, eventually produced a formal study showing that, for whatever reason, the appendices removed from patients with Albanian names in six Greek hospitals were more than three times as likely to be perfectly healthy as those removed from patients with Greek names. “It was hard to find a journal willing to publish it, but we did,” recalls Tatsioni. “I also discovered that I really liked research.”
We all know that any healthcare conclusion sounds more convincing if there is data behind it; "9 out of 10 dentists recommend" or "Bayer reduces risk of heart attack by 50%"... But how legitimate are numbers like this? Primary biochemical research, like the articles slowly churned out of universities, tend to be accurate or at least modest and trustworthy, but this is because this research is generally only for the sake of knowledge. Drug companies can be a little different, because data collection just isn't quite held to the same standards as it is when there's no significant profit to be gained. This article highlights some of the inadequacies prevalent in the modern research world and how troubling they can be.

You can find the article here.

27 comments:

Doo said...

I agree with you, however, what disturbed me more are the rumors/reports of Albanian organ selling and kidnapping of people, that was horrible.

Mr. Rogers said...

I agree :I

Das Auto! said...

that's messed up. i've heard of dentists doing this to get extra money, but when surgeries are actually being performed, it needs to be stopped.

Snuggs said...

Very interesting. Never heard about this before. Definitely following.

Anonymous said...

It's hard to trust people these days. Especially healthcare :P

Some Guy said...

that's messed up... people are so profit-oriented now that stuff like this happens a lot, sadly-- like companies releasing drugs that aren't fully tested just because they know they can turn a profit

Tsipise said...

Don't they have an oath? Hippocrates'Oath?
They should burn in hell, surrounded by appendices.

Zen Kitisook said...

wow, even in this time and age things like this are still happening. I'm very thankful I don't live in Greece, and doctors should come under police investigation.

Literature . . . said...

Interesting article. I'm going to check out that link you posted now too. Thanks.

Mister King said...

damn lies...thats crazy. Keep posting and Ill keep reading.

check me out...

http://goodmusak.blogspot.com/

J-G-B said...

Nice post, very informative.

Following and supporting.

http://illuminatinwo.blogspot.com

LA.Diets said...

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.

Thomas A. Edison

follow me at theladiets.blogspot.com

noog said...

so much for medical ethics... great blog man, followin!

BCI Network said...

lies, damn lies, and medical science lmfao

Ashley McKay said...

That's pretty messed up. That's why we have stay informed ;). Nice blog, following and supporting as always.


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brotosterone said...

I'm a pharmacy student and can understand a lot of this and what shit goes down with drug companies and general healthcare. Will read this article later! Thanks for the link:

http://brotosterone.blogspot.com

That One Guy said...

This is really bad, its sad to see this is the way they treat poor patients there

ootori said...

This is heavy stuff

http://ipiliviensomewhere.blogspot.com/

BlahCooCooBlah said...

This is why avoid doctors and hospitals unless absolutely necessary! Cool blog, following :D

hwidman said...

Not really surpising. Much like an automechanic that "fixes" things that don't really need to be fixed. Everywhere there is someone trying to extort what they can, it's a shame. Following

hazdbot.blogspot.com

Particle Man said...

People in general are notoriously untrustworthy, especially when there is something to gained and nobody to pass judgment. It's the same with some mechanics who falsely find things wrong with your vehicle or the computer repairman who looks through all of your personal data, yes actions like this in the medical field are more severe but this is only one case, who knows how many cases of misuse go unnoticed.


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Rawr said...

interesting post ;)

Ante Babaja said...

i agree man. nice writting

J8888 said...

nice blog, following!

RatsRunThisTown said...

On a side note btw man, your blog looks amazing! Love it.

rego87 said...

WOW... just wow. This is like the body snatchers of the Victorian era. Creepy to think the lengths people will go to.

ootori said...

I love this article.

SUPPORTED!

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