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Going for an overkill!

Priya (name changed) was suffering from an ear ache post her flight. She normally does not suffer from ear ache during air journeys. On reaching home, she mentioned this to her mother. They decided to pay a visit to a doctor as it was an unusual complaint.

Then onwards an interesting story started. To cut a long story short, the emphasis was to go to the best doctor in the best hospital in the neighborhood.

They finally went to an ENT surgeon in a very reputed (5 star variety) hospital and came back with a great satisfaction. Doctor prescribed an antibiotic ear drop and a pain killer if required. Hospital charges were Rs 300 (US$ 5) for registration and Rs 600 (US$ 10) for specialist consultation and Rs 25 for medicines (antibiotic and pain killer). After 3 times usage of antibiotic drops she was all right and did not need any pain killers.

This raises a vital question in  my mind!

Why do consumers look for a specialist doctor when a normal GP would do the job at perhaps much lower cost? What is the psychological impact on Priya (and her mom) and doctor for apparently a small ailment.

Does it happen in other situations as well? I will ask my friend, a specialist doctor himself on this issue and post his perspective.


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