Docnj,
You made a terrific case that examines the reasons why physicians can be slow to adapt to new treatment options. But I'm the wrong guy who would find his way to empathize with the status quo. You see, my dad was a talented Internist-Hemo/Onc who authored an early study which explained the MO of a common drug we use today. My brother, who teaches and practices in the same area of medicine as dad did, was the first to write Vascepa in the States. Had it not been for him, I wouldn't have asked for a script, as I've taken Vascepa since 2013 for prevention, not out of necessity. Perhaps I'm spoiled to have such influences in the medical field. Bro is someone who gets up in the morning wanting to be that clinician who figured out how to treat a patient, who otherwise, faced the certainty of having inferior results for having gone to someone else. I've never met anyone with such a ferocious appetite to learn and to stay ahead of his or her field.
Bro and I took Mom to a Cardiologist whose at the top of his field out of Colombia Presbyterian. The Cardiologist was Deepak Bhaat's Professor at Cornell. During the middle of the examination, the Doctor says to me, "Your brother is really ahead of his time". "He is the only Doctor in the area who practices prevention as he does"
Let's assume I'm a high-risk CVD patient, the idea that I would consider playing Russian Roulette with my life by choosing to see a "Good doctor", rather than going to the "best Doctor" is imbecilic in my estimation. This isn't interior decorating. You're a physician man, lives in your hands. If you're not going to practice medicine at such a high level, find something else to do.
JMO,
ILT