Less than half the surgeries, drugs and tests that doctors recommend have been proved effective.
Source: Weekend Special: Reckless Medicine | Care And Cost
“Reckless Medicine” by Jeanne Lenzer & Shannon Brownlee
originally published on 2010-11-20 in Discover Magazine, November 2010 issue
Alternate link:
http://attentiallebufale.it/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Discover-Reckless-Medicine.pdf
Next time your doctor talks to you about surgery, make sure you do your own research too so you can provide actual informed consent. The poor doc’s life is hard enough learning HOW to do all the things demanded of them without being omniscient statistical gods about whether or not any of it is actually right for you. It would be convenient if they could, but they are just people too. Give them a break and do your part to keep yourself healthy.