18 questions about your surgery you’ve been too embarrassed to ask
We've answered all the tricky questions
While most surgery can't be avoided, is it always necessary?
Few people would willingly put their hand up for unnecessary surgery, but it seems many of us are doing just that. In recent times, a number of surgeons have spoken out with concerns about complex medical procedures that lack any real clinical evidence. This focus on over-prescribed diagnostic tests and unnecessary surgery encourages patients to look more thoroughly into preventative or alternative treatment options.
If a particular surgery hasn’t been shown to lead to improved quality of life, you'd be right to question whether the risks associated with it are worth it.
A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia identified more than 150 'low-value' procedures. The research showed that procedures on the list were unsafe, ineffective or simply inappropriate in certain circumstances. The types of procedures on this list vary widely, and in some cases, surgery was deemed no more effective than placebo treatments. Of course, the unique circumstances of each patient must always be taken into consideration – what works for one patient may not work for another – and the specific nature of some of the procedures needs to be taken into account.
In many cases patients will assume that if they are offered surgery, it's the best option available. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. According to Ian Harris, author of Surgery, The Ultimate Placebo, some surgeons may continue to offer procedures they have always done rather than looking to the latest evidence-based research. He also believes surgeons might have seen positive responses from patients and prioritise this feedback over studies they don't fully understand: in these cases, the placebo effect may be disguising the ineffectiveness of treatment. Harris also says surgeons could feel pressured by patients who want them to take action.
There is currently a taskforce of senior clinicians looking at all 5,700 items in the Medicare Benefit Schedule to align with contemporary clinical evidence, improve health outcomes for patients and deliver a Healthier Medicare.
If a procedure is regarded as ineffective or is associated with increased ongoing risks, it's worth considering your options. In certain circumstances, lifestyle changes such as weight-loss, diet and exercise might help.
At nib, we offer a number of health management programs for eligible customers that range in focus from mental health, coronary disease and osteoarthritis. We've also helped develop Whitecoat, an online tool that gives you access to more than 200,000 healthcare providers, Australia-wide. This includes healthcare professionals specialising in preventative medicine, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths.