Re:When I died
by mynameishere on Friday July 17, 2009 @03:15PM
(#710549)
Doctors in the US usually over-test people due to lawsuit fears.
Getting paid more for over-testing probably has something to do with it too.
Not really. My parents (both physicians, just like a sizable part of my extended family) do not believe in unnecessary medical procedures, much like almost every other doctor. You don't become a cardiac physician unless you actually care about the people and what you do, trust me. Cosmetic surgery pays much more, holds less risk, and is less demanding if you're just in it for the money. In addition, most cardiac tests don't award the physicians any monetary value aside from decreasing malpractice risk through negligence.
I have had cardiac check-ups at least once a year for my whole life. In several instances, new problems were found at one of the check-ups and the wheels were set in motion to mend things. Further, when I was in hospital for the cardiac arrest, the bulge in my aorta was discovered by accident.
I live in the UK. Perhaps the NHS are more will to keep tabs on people than private health services in other countries.