From time to time, the Whistleblower will offer readers a quiz. Physicians, similar to other professionals, have taken scores of standardized tests over the years. Most physicians are skilled at these exercises which, in my view, are a poor measurements of skills necessary for becoming a capable and caring physician. Yet, as we have learned from pay-for-performance and other ‘quality’ initiatives, we measure what can be easily measured even if it doesn’t really count. The Kirsch progeny have been exposed to well over 100 quizzes during their formative years, when they competed for valuable prizes at the dinner table. As we know at carnivals and county fairs, everyone wants to win that Teddy bear, no matter how much it costs to win it. It’s the victory, not the prize. 1902 Washington Post Cartoon with Teddy Bear and TR True or False? A physician who owns a CAT scan machine is more likely to order scans than would another physician who does not own a scanner
MD Whistleblower presents vignettes and commentaries on the medical profession. We peek 'behind the medical curtain' and deliver candor and controversy in every post.