But does it work?
Even if we don't say that question aloud, we implicitly ask it in our everyday lives. Each time we consider buying a new product or service, we want to be sure that it does what it says it will do. No one wants to throw away money.
But for some reason, when it comes to health care, people do seem willing to undergo treatments without asking: Does it work?
We assume doctors and medical experts are making decisions about our health care based on proven effectiveness. Strangely, that's not always the case. Treatments can be prescribed because they're new (not always better), or accepted (not always proven) even because of where a doctor was trained.
But decisions in health care need to be driven by a main criterion: data. One way to get data is comparative effectiveness research. The first advantage isn't too hard to figure out: Proven results would be better than guesswork.
Medical care is extremely complex: having some 13,000 diagnoses, 6,000 drugs and 4,000 procedures makes it difficult to pick the best course. Comparative research examines all the available medical studies and literature and delivers comparative data so doctors diagnose and treat illnesses based on evidence-based outcomes.
This is already happening on a piecemeal basis. Health care reform could make it more systematic. By combining the best research evidence with a patient's values, treatment would be more effective.
Along with more accurate diagnosis and care, there's a second advantage to evidence-based medicine: costs might just be lower. Why? Currently the health-care system pays for treatment whether it works or not. But just because it’s covered is no reason to waste your time with a treatment that isn’t effective.
When your doctor suggests a medication or other treatment, don’t be afraid to ask: But does it work? Don’t hesitate to do your own research on the Internet to get as much information as possible, and actively participate in decisions about your health.
The goal is for you to be comfortable that the tests or treatments recommended by your doctor are based on broad evidence from the medical literature. That's one way to begin to get health care costs under control — and to get good health care and lifestyle choices in your control. Where they belong.
