Originally Posted by Chief Pedant:
Medicine has become increasingly effective and increasingly dangerous at the same time.
Example One: Drugs. I put you on warfarin because your condition of atrial fibrillation can produce clots that can cause a stroke. There is a net benefit. However a small number of people will die of bleeding or other complications from the drug.
Example Two: Procedures. You present with a torn aorta. I can repair it. Some patients will die from the procedure, even though it saves lives overall.
Doctors have almost no control over the hodgepodge of regulation. They have little control over how healthcare is delivered inside many hospitals. They have no control over the ridiculous tort system which constrains their approach to care. They have little control over other bad doctors who hide behind lawyers and various other protections. They have little control over what systems are put in place by hospitals to track healthcare delivery and measure outcomes. They have minimal control over how their patients execute their advice. They are frequently constrained over who they can refer to, what drugs they can prescribe and so on. The list goes on.