Evidence-based medicine does not consider tradeoffs based on the true risk and benefits, but tradeoffs based on the visible risk versus the visible benefits. A recipe for catastrophe. Notes: medicine is not my field of expertise; risk management is. This essay wants to start a discussion, not conclude it. If I make any formal medical mistake, such as a misuse in nomenclature, please let me know in the comments below. Also, nothing below is medical advice. Finally,
Outstanding thoughts! This issue has been a problem with much of organized medicine (in my eyes) for years. As a practicing physician, I remind patients that for any given medication & disease state, we can look at population statistics but in reality we are going to do a research study n=1. The individual has unique properties, many of which are not measurable nor understood by current methods. So I encourage decisions to always be made by a careful cost:benefit analysis. When there are so many variables and unknown factors, we are shown to know far less than we pretend. What is the most likely effect? What is the most consequential effect? As we wrestle with this current outbreak, the medical vs. economic costs are not able to be known in advance. Close businesses everywhere, shut everything down < --- > minimal intrusion into people's lives & freedom. Where along that continuum do we choose?
Outstanding thoughts! This issue has been a problem with much of organized medicine (in my eyes) for years. As a practicing physician, I remind patients that for any given medication & disease state, we can look at population statistics but in reality we are going to do a research study n=1. The individual has unique properties, many of which are not measurable nor understood by current methods. So I encourage decisions to always be made by a careful cost:benefit analysis. When there are so many variables and unknown factors, we are shown to know far less than we pretend. What is the most likely effect? What is the most consequential effect? As we wrestle with this current outbreak, the medical vs. economic costs are not able to be known in advance. Close businesses everywhere, shut everything down < --- > minimal intrusion into people's lives & freedom. Where along that continuum do we choose?