Letter

If it doesn't work, stop it

BMJ 2004; 328 doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7446.1015-b (Published 22 April 2004)
Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:1015.3

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Small question with big answers

  1. Tom P Marshall, Harkness fellow in health policy (TMarshall1@partners.org)
  1. Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02120, USA

    EDITOR—Why do doctors use treatments that do not work?1 A simple question with many answers.

    1. Doctors are paid to do this.

    2. Doctors are taught to “practise medicine” not to “help the patient.” When these do not overlap doctors are guidedby adherence to professionally accepted theories …

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