IMA says CM’s angioplasty remark could damage patient-doctor trust
Following Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan’s speech calling for a campaign against unnecessary angioplasty procedures, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) expressed their disappointment saying sweeping public statements can heavily damage the trust between patients and doctors. Earlier, in a speech, Satheesan said that some hospitals said that some hospitals perform procedures like angioplasty on patients driven by commercial interests rather than absolute medical necessity.Angioplasty is a medical procedure used to open narrowed or blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow to the heart or other parts of the body.In a press release, IMA said they respect the good intention behind the CM’s opinion that unnecessary investigations and treatments should be avoided. However, such statements may also create another kind of confusion in the public mind, they said.“Patients should not begin to view even a necessary investigation or treatment with the suspicion that ‘Is the doctor doing this unnecessarily?’ In particular, creating general doubts about interventions such as angioplasty, which may be life-saving, could lead some patients to delay or refuse essential treatment,” the press release said.IMA also said that each patient's medical condition, test results, and risk factors differ. A procedure that may be unnecessary for one person may be essential for another. Therefore, the need for any treatment should be determined based on a scientific assessment of the individual patient.“If unethical practices exist anywhere, they should be investigated based on evidence, corrected, and, where necessary, appropriate action should be taken. At the same time, the public’s trust in the majority of doctors who serve honestly and sincerely must also be protected,” IMA said.Satheesan had suggested that a campaign should be launched against unnecessary angioplasty of patients at the inauguration of the Kerala Heart Care Society's Silver Jubilee celebrations held in Kozhikode. Following this, Kozhikode Government Medical College Cardiology Department Head Dr G Rajesh wrote on Facebook saying that what the CM said is “true” and that “someone has shown the courage to speak out about it”.
FOLLOWING Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan’s speech calling for a campaign against unnecessary angioplasty procedures, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) expressed their disappointment, saying sweeping public statements can heavily damage the trust between patients and doctors.
Earlier, in a speech, Satheesan said that some hospitals perform procedures like angioplasty on patients driven by commercial interests rather than absolute medical necessity.
Angioplasty is a medical procedure used to open narrowed or blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow to the heart or other parts of the body.
In a press release, IMA said they respect the good intention behind the CM’s opinion that unnecessary investigations and treatments should be avoided. However, such statements may also create another kind of confusion in the public mind, they said.
“Patients should not begin to view even a necessary investigation or treatment with the suspicion that ‘Is the doctor doing this unnecessarily?’ In particular, creating general doubts about interventions such as angioplasty, which may be life-saving, could lead some patients to delay or refuse essential treatment,” the press release said.
IMA also said that each patient's medical condition, test results, and risk factors differ. A procedure that may be unnecessary for one person may be essential for another. Therefore, the need for any treatment should be determined based on a scientific assessment of the individual patient.
“If unethical practices exist anywhere, they should be investigated based on evidence, corrected, and, where necessary, appropriate action should be taken. At the same time, the public’s trust in the majority of doctors who serve honestly and sincerely must also be protected,” IMA said.
Satheesan had suggested that a campaign should be launched against unnecessary angioplasty of patients at the inauguration of the Kerala Heart Care Society's Silver Jubilee celebrations held in Kozhikode.
Following this, Kozhikode Government Medical College Cardiology Department Head Dr G Rajesh wrote on Facebook saying that what the CM said is “true” and that “someone has shown the courage to speak out about it”.
