Opinion: Politics Should Not Trump Science in Medicine

Changes in medicine should include a rational, fact-driven, common-sense approach to change supported by scientific evidence. It should be evidence driven and not public policy driven—unless there is a clear, measureable public health benefit. We, as physicians, and our patients have the most to lose, but we have had the least input. All voices need to be heard before these programs are put into practice. This system of crony capitalism is hurting healthcare and practitioners.

We need to bring science back into medicine and medical decision making. We need to make medicine great again!

For information on how you can help, email [email protected] or visit the ACR’s Legislative Action Center.

John A. Goldman, MD, is a former clinical professor of medicine, Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He is currently president of medical quarters and chief of rheumatology at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta. He is in solo rheumatology, immunology and osteoporosis practice in Sandy Springs, Ga. He has been named a Master of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and a Fellow of the ACP, and is a certified clinical densitometrist.

Editor’s note: This article was adapted with permission from an article that originally appeared in RheumNow (Nov. 25, 2015).

References

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4. Croft SM. The argument against ICD-10 implementation. Neurology Advisor. 2015 Jul 22.