Patients do want to do something. And the fact that doctors and surgeons and lots of other individuals in healthcare make much more money by doing something means there’s lots of inertia to action, even if it’s not the best or even useful.
I think the healthcare provider incentive is a more important factor since there is such a power imbalance. I’ve had numerous elective surgical procedures recommended. When I asked for non-surgical therapies I was told there are none. When I researched I found them and found other healthcare providers.
I’m pretty young and healthy so the bias for surgeons to recommend surgery seems really strong. Maybe it’s not sinister and it’s just a coincidence that a surgery costs $10-30k and physical therapy costs $1k to someone other than the person who is recommending.
I think the healthcare provider incentive is a more important factor since there is such a power imbalance. I’ve had numerous elective surgical procedures recommended. When I asked for non-surgical therapies I was told there are none. When I researched I found them and found other healthcare providers.
I’m pretty young and healthy so the bias for surgeons to recommend surgery seems really strong. Maybe it’s not sinister and it’s just a coincidence that a surgery costs $10-30k and physical therapy costs $1k to someone other than the person who is recommending.