There is no better way to learn making reckless conclusion on hearsay than reading the "stunning" newspaper story in Hong Kong.
Lest you doubt the impact of heart-breaking news among the local media, consider the recent talk of the town concerning patient death after the doctors' attempt to open the blocked arteries with balloon.
The balloon procedure meant to prop open an artery, called angioplasty, is always a high-stakes treatment decision (or gamble, if you like) and in particular so if performed in an emergency setting. Cataclysmic uproars after the death of two patients undergoing such procedure is fueled by the large-circulation newspaper coverage with eye-catching words like "irrational heroic medicine", "victim of the cutthroat hospital", and so forth. Along with the front-page news comes a flurry of charges to lambaste the hospital in question. On this matter, I find it disheartening to believe that only one newspaper quoted the viewpoint (alas, from representatives for the patient rights) that dissemination of stories like this might not be in the best interest of the community because they discourage medical doctors from providing treatment for high-risk patients with heart attacks.
This reminds me of the famous legend about a newspaper editor who hits a pothole on his way to work, spilling coffee all over his new suit, and immediately orders a series on street maintenance when he arrives at the office. It is simply tragic for our newspaper editors and reporters to act on the prima facie evidence, in a knee-jerk manner.
If you don't believe me, read the newspaper.
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