Hey there—love your post but I’m slightly unconvinced. I don’t think we have a monopoly on altruism, however, I do think medical doctors are more effective then you’ve laid out. For example, every time you convince a patient to quit smoking, or even plant the seed in their mind, surely that’s worth significant QALY? I imagine doctors are often part of a causal chain when patients make decisions that save their lives or improve their welfare significantly. Every time a healthier diet is encouraged, a patient is referred mental health services, a person is referred to rehab etc. I see 50 or so patients a day, and if even 7 patients per week take up potentially life-amending advice, that seems pretty impactful. Though obviously doctors are replaceable, but that seems a different matter
Hey there—love your post but I’m slightly unconvinced. I don’t think we have a monopoly on altruism, however, I do think medical doctors are more effective then you’ve laid out. For example, every time you convince a patient to quit smoking, or even plant the seed in their mind, surely that’s worth significant QALY? I imagine doctors are often part of a causal chain when patients make decisions that save their lives or improve their welfare significantly. Every time a healthier diet is encouraged, a patient is referred mental health services, a person is referred to rehab etc. I see 50 or so patients a day, and if even 7 patients per week take up potentially life-amending advice, that seems pretty impactful. Though obviously doctors are replaceable, but that seems a different matter