Question

The Physician: When people are sick, they often have very little idea of what is wrong with them or what the most promising treatment is. They may place themselves under a physician's care in the belief that the physician is better qualified to make decisions regarding the proper course of treatment. The physician acts as an agent for the patient. For many treatments the physician offers the only access to the treatment; e.g., prescription drugs and surgery. Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

A. Some argue that physicians artificially increase demand for healthcare services. What factors might control the extent of physician-induced demand?

B. What are the legal and ethical implications if a physician were to induce demand due to not providing informed consent to the patient?

C. If surgeons were able to increase the demand for operations, which operations do you think would be most affected? How would you decide which surgeries were unnecessary? Can you think of examples from your own experience or reading?

Answer 1

A. There are some factors which might help control the extent of physician-induced demand to artifically increase the demand for healthcare services. Firstly, creating awareness through social-media and campaigns educating general public regarding the healthcare services available across several centers and any new procedures or cures introduced in the society. Secondly, adding a subject regarding healthcare in the syllabus of high school going students. This will help them understand basic medical terminologies and thus be able to take decisions regarding theirs and their family members' health. Providing online consultations also would help control the unethical work practices in the healthcare industry.

B. The physician is at risk of loosing his medical license in such a case. As a medical practicer, it is the physician's duty and responsibility to ensure health and safety of his patient's. This if not followed, may result in his license being canceled for a considerable period or even lifetime.

C. The healthcare services would be most affected in the described case. There would be a sudden surge in cases and the center would not be able to provide the necessary care to all. Besides, the really urgent and critical surgeries may be neglected resulting in long-term or even permanent damage to the patients. Ultimately, tarnishing the image of the healthcare center and attracting several law suits.

The important surgeries are those that are life-saving or improving the current state of the patient. For example, the heart surgeries, fractures, transplants, cancer related surgeries, etc,

The less important are those, which cause no change or improvement in the patient's health and are not at all critical for the patient's life. For example, cosmetic surgeries, hair implantation, etc.