A recent article featured a discussion between Drs Charles P. Vega and Fabrizia Faustinella in which they posed the provocative question of whether doctors had gotten lazy, particularly when it came to performing hands-on physical exams. They described what they saw as deteriorating abilities among colleagues and residents when it came to the basics of examining patients. This spurred a robust discussion by readers about the issue.
Many physicians objected in particular to the use of the word "lazy" in the title. One internist employed sarcasm: "Yes, let's keep supporting doctor-bashing, the new sport; It might make it to the Olympics."
But others saw necessary criticism in the article:
It's not doctor-bashing; it is today's reality. I truly believe that to many young doctors, the actual laying of hands is considered a nuisance. Much easier to order expensive tests and scans. Clinical judgement is now ridiculed because it doesn't stand up in court like an MRI does. Sad but true. But it's not just young doctors; the surrounding healthcare team doesn't trust clinical acumen anymore. One of the main reasons I quit inpatient pediatrics over a decade ago.
An internist agreed:
I have noticed exactly this phenomenon as the modern practice model becomes more and more monetized.
