Sludge and ordeals in primary care

[摘要] In his briefing this month our Editor cogently explains the way in which healthcare systems often harm patients.1 I must, however, disagree with part of his final sentence.My experience, as an RNID volunteer who meets people seeking help with issues around hearing loss, is that GPs do not seem to recoil from deliberately imposing ordeals on our patients. If they did, they would not be withdrawing ear wax services and making them only available to those who can afford to pay for treatment — indeed, a ‘Tax on Wax’.This issue is one that is harming patients, promoting the Inverse Care Law, and resulting in negative publicity for our specialty. Even RNID is weighing in on this indefensible change.2Munro et al provided a helpful review of the subject for GPs and their staff in the BJGP February 2023 Issue.3GPs need to restart ear wax removal in our practices.Notes Competing interestsTed Leverton has moderately severe hearing loss and contributes to research and articles on hearing loss.

[学科分类] 卫生学