Evidence Based Practice

Much has been written in recent years about evidence based practice. It is a common topic in the physical therapy community as well as throughout all of health care. While there is much to be benefited from evidence based practice, there is also a dark side that gets little consideration and even less discussion.

One aspect of the dark side is the "potential opportunity" it provides insurers to deny payment for interventions that it deems not supported by scientific evidence. The exploitation of evidence based practice may / does provide a tempting justification for the denial of care / payment. Poorly designed or executed research can provide opportunity.

The threat lies in the reality that it is often in the financial best interest of insurers to deny treatment even though it may be in the patients best interest to receive it. It would be wonderful if this was merely a hypothetical risk... but it is not.

Keep in mind that insurers keep about 31% of all health care premiums for their own operations and profits; and the cost of health care continues to increase dramatically. I doubt that it will be the profits of insurers that will suffer in the years ahead.

Those who advocate on the part of the patients need be aware.

Bob

Copyright 2007
Performance Builders