Physicians are under increasing pressure to lower healthcare costs, conduct fewer tests, and prescribe fewer drugs.
Many physicians have complained that while they are being "encouraged" -- either through carrot-or-stick tactics -- to perform fewer services, the ratings and reviews that patients may give them continue to work against doctors' efforts.
Some patients who don't get what they want will retaliate online. Others whom you've seen in a hospital or large health system may give negative or harsh responses on patient satisfaction surveys. And a number may not say anything publicly but will "vote with their feet" and look for another doctor.
Understandably, doctors feel pressure to give in to relentless patients, knowing that the consequences of saying no can have long-term effects on one's practice and career. In a recent Medscape report on antibiotics use, 28% of physicians said they prescribed an antibiotic because the patient asked for it, and 15% said they did so out of malpractice concerns.
Some doctors take the additional time to explain the science behind why a certain test or drug isn't necessary, and many patients will then feel that they've learned something and will understand the doctor's guidance. But other patients feel like they are fighting for their life or health and surely don't care about society's healthcare costs in that case.
