In a real nice investigative piece, the Wall Street Journal unearthed the controversy over IMRT. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is a relatively new technology to treat prostate cancer. It is also an example of how money makes people do things they probably shouldn't do. The article is worth reading in full. It explains how IRMT escaped the laws of self-referral which led to urologists buying the machines to give IRMT. This led to an increased use of this treatment therapy which, by the way, is paid the most handsomely by Medicare. The WSJ found lies, damning statistics, crooked politicians (redundant?), and a huge ethical dilemma. It does make me sad to read this. Physicians, in this case urologists, are human and fall into the same trap of gluttony - greed - as everyone else. On one side, I understand that someone needs to buy the machines and so why should the oncologists make all the money (like radiologists have done by owning all the MRI machines, etc.). On the other side, this article proves that doctors will push patients towards the treatment that renumerates them better. Once again, unfortunately, I will have to put my Cerumen Cath Lab on hold.
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A group of Urologists in Mississippi recently learned that Neurosurgeons make alot of money so they decided to do brain surgery. They call themselves, "UroNeuro".
Interviewed on his yacht, "UroRat", in the Bahamas, Dr. Zappa Kepi, Medical Director of the clinic stated, "Only Urologists know how to coordinate things.
Our patients are very happy to be able to have their rectal exams and craniotomies under one roof and not have to travel twenty miles across the street".
Look out, Cardiologists, you are next. UroCard is on the way.
Thanks to PG and PJ for keeping the pressure on the physician community about this conflict of interest. I'm all for entrepreneurism, but in medicine there needs to be a place for fiduciary responsibility.
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