Beter weten dan de wetenschap

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.

• Hubris, or pride, is one of the seven cardinal sins, which can manifest itself in over-confidence, incorrect heuristics and biased reasoning.

• If a tendency to ‘know better’ leads to performing superfluous procedures, it is an expression of Hubris.

• Superfluous procedures can be defined as “generally accepted procedures the effectiveness of which can be invalidated on the basis of scientific knowledge”.

• If such superfluous procedures are carried out as a result of pride they can lead to a waste of money, time and resources and may even harm the patient.

• Superfluous procedures cover the entire spectrum of medical screening, diagnosis and treatment.

• Carrying out superfluous procedures such as unnecessary referrals or requesting unnecessary diagnostic tests simply to placate the patient is unwarranted.

• A return to economically viable and worthwhile healthcare can be brought about by thinking in terms of surplus value for the patient and by recognising, admitting and combating Hubris.