Money, Money, Money

The New York Times editorializes:

Doctors largely decide what medical or surgical treatments are needed, whether it will be delivered in a hospital, what tests will be performed, and what drugs will be prescribed or medical devices implanted.

There is disturbing evidence that many do a lot more than is medically useful — and often reap financial benefits from over-treating their patients. No doubt a vast majority of doctors strive to do the best for their patients. But many are influenced by fee-for-service financial incentives and some are unabashed profiteers.

Maybe it would help if we promoted medical education pathways which reduce the average $139,517 of debt borne by graduating US Medical Students. Perhaps Creighton University's School of Nursing is on to something, promoting nursing as a pre-med major.

After completing such a program, one could work for a couple years to pay off undergraduate debt. Medical schools could create work-study programs. Nurses are in shortage, after all.

There's got to be a way to avoid the sense of poverty many physicians feel in the early stages of training. A little thought to this problem could go a long way.