On: The World’s Cheapest Hospital Has to Get Even Chea...

[vadlamak]

One of the bigger problems I observed in the US is a defensive approach against being sued by the patient. The doctor prescribes a battery of tests even though he is more or less sure what the symptom might be. But let's play it safe and not get sued approach to everything! Healthcare professionals carry insurances in millions against being sued. The cost ultimately gets passed on to customers. Accountability is good, but not at this cost! At the other end of the spectrum accountability is much harder in a country like India hence the incentive to take risks.

[Scoundreller → vadlamak]

Ordering a test and not acting on the results can create liability too.

Not all tests are binary: you have to correctly interpret the levels.

And no test has 100% sensitivity and specificity.

What is clear, is that the provider can charge for these tests and their interpretation, so it creates income.

The liability talk may be a smokescreen.