This is an addendum to Trudy Lieberman’s blog post about surgical robot news release puffery…and about questionable claims of robotic surgery “firsts” as robot owners launch marketing and public relations efforts.
I’ve been saving a little sample of robot owner’s claims about their expensive investments, and have posted some of them below.
As you look below at this little gallery of gee-whiz, think about the learning curve that’s required with any new device and any new surgical procedure.
And ask yourself as you look at these promotions whether you’d want to be the first in line…or maybe the 1,000th.
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Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
.@TranspariMED criticizes STAT op-ed for not disclosing pharma funding of author’s institute - similar to criticism we’ve made of STAT op-eds in the past. @transparify @ThinkTankWatch @icer_review https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/02/transparency-watchdog-criticizes-stats-non-disclosure-on-pro-pharma-op-ed/
Comments (1)
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Jack Fowler
April 13, 2015 at 10:13 amOne ironic part about this series: I think studies showed it took 500 to 700 operations with the robot before surgeons could get their complication rates for radical prostatectomy down to the level of surgeons who did them the old fashioned way. The very last thing in the world a patient should want is to be the first patient on whom a surgeon performs robotic surgery.
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