Sir Walter Mercer Lecture: Over-Diagnosis, Over-Investigation & Over-Treatment: Too Much of a 'Good' Thing?

Description

The text presents a lecture given by Robin Paton, a respected orthopedic surgeon, detailing the issues of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in modern medicine. Paton discusses the accolades and career of his colleague Phil Turner, transitioning into a discourse about the challenges faced in surgical practice, emphasizing the balance between treatment and patient safety. He shares alarming statistics regarding preventable harm in surgeries, urging for a more thoughtful approach to diagnosis, highlighting the confusion caused by pre-disease classifications. Paton critiques current medical practices, including screening and treatment protocols, stressing the need for a patient-centered approach and proper evaluation of treatments based on evidence. The lecture concludes with reminders of the importance of observational clinical medicine, calling for a return to foundational practices amidst increasing reliance on technology.

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