Contributed by Richard W Biek MD MPH
Dear Joel,
Unless we track responses from those we serve to verify that
over 90% report improvement, we are doing more harm than
good compared to nonintervention.
I know my Well-Being Index is very quick and reliable. Blue
Cross - Blue Shield wrote to me -- after I had been making
home visits for 3 years doing only positive health promotion
with no diagnosis, treatment, nor or advice, and all reported
improvement -- that those who call me their doctor used to
cost the health insurance company thousands of dollars a
year but now cost nothing.
Or track deaths that occur during or within 10 days of
health care. Add the last date of health care to death
certificates to make it easy to get data.
When doctors go on strike, deaths at all ages from all
reported causes drop from 17% to 60% in less than 10
days. Deaths stay down till the strike ends, and in less
than 10 days, deaths increase 20% to 120% back to the
level before the strike. Israel has had the most doctor
strikes, and morticians mediate a quick end to the strike
or go out of business.
Deaths during and up to 10 days after care are several
times more numerous than in any 10 days not associated
with health care.
From 1926 to 1961, longevity increased steadily in USA
from 56.7 to 70.2 years. Every 1.6 days we lived 1 day
longer. It was still 70.2 years in 1968. For over 2500
days, we did not live 1 day longer.
That was when doctors opposing socialized medicine
saw patients even if they could not pay, but Medicare
and Medicaid were enacted in 1965 anyway. Each year
millions more patients were seen than the year before.
After 1968, health care visits began to level off, and
we began to live longer, but it took 5 days to live 1
day longer. 2004 -2006, we even lost 36 days of life.
Except in emergencies, medical and surgical care do
much more harm than good. I know if doctors are
kept informed of how many deaths and complications
they cause during and up to 10 days after care, they
will begin to find ways to reduce them. That is not
happening now. What do you think will work?
Ric