The Cost of Doing Business

[Croooser]

Chuck

Interesting graph. I had a cardiologist show me a similar graph many years ago. Difference was he did not have an age tied to the "cliff" but did have it related to mild to moderate to severe as measured by test results. I think that the idea was that you can be asymptomatic (as I was at the time) and still be at serious risk. Same Dr. Showed me another graph that referenced the risk of surgery vs the risk of waiting until symptoms/test results say severe.

Those were the AHA moments for me when I went from anxiety to cautious optimism.

I hit the "cliff" at age 71 and had a successful surgery.

 

[pellicle]

Medicine is not a science.

I'd kinda argue it is very science based, for sure, it's not perfect but it's a lot better than just praying

 

[vitdoc]

I agree science based but not a true science where the scientific method fully applies. We are not working in a vacuum without any scientific base but we are making decisions based on statistics and experience. Physics, chemistry and even biology are more rigorous. Believe me not going the prayer route.

 

[pellicle]

I agree science based but not a true science where the scientific method fully applies.

good examples to support this start with the resistance to "evidence based practice" as well as many anecdotes on best practice.

An interesting bit of history which I picked up in my studies at Uni in the 80's presented to demonstrate how long it takes clinical practice to change (back then), partly due to dissemination of information, partly due to resistance by practitioners

Ambroise Paré’s accounts of new methods for treating gunshot wounds and burns

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

IIRC in the American Civil war this practice was not yet in practice there, where sadly they usually went straight to amputation.

Treatment of War Wounds: A Historical Review

The treatment of war wounds is an ancient art, constantly refined to reflect improvements in weapons technology, transportation, antiseptic practices, and surgical techniques. Throughout most of the history of warfare, more soldiers died from disease ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov