There have been media reports in which the doctors and the hospitals have been accused of performing cataract surgeries when these are not actually required. The question is, are these really fake news or are actually happening?
Media reports a recent media report attributed rapid rise in the number of certain type surgeries being done at various hospitals, to the fact that some of these surgeries are been done for economic reasons only. The patient may not have actually needed one. Among the many surgical procedures, the cataract was reported to be the commonest.
Targets to meet: News report says that in corporate hospitals, the doctors are pressurized to perform more surgeries to increase the corporate profits as surgeries offer a greater financial return in a shorter time. Consequently, some of the patients are advised to undergo cataract surgery in spite of the fact the patient can manage without it. It further suggested that those who are advised to undergo surgery should better have a second opinion, which is very much concerning. Similar concerns are also been reported from advanced counties as well.
The Optometric-Ophthalmic Kickback Scheme: Dr. Robert P. Gervais reported the arrangement of kickback systems practiced in the US, in which patients are predominantly operated to make money, by ophthalmologists in cooperation with an optometrist. It is surprising that it is practiced in a country like the US where documentation and other regulations are so diligent followed. The scenario could be much worse in India where it is difficult to enforce government regulations.
Conclusion: Though the actual figures may actually be debated as what percentage of doctors are indulging in this kind of practice these reports certainly point to the maligning of the reputation of the whole profession. These will only add to stricter government regulation and legal scrutiny of clinical practice and practitioners.
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