THE Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) has hit back at ABC Four Corners' major investigation into the chronic pain industry, which found claims of fraud, waste and abuse.
The episode, named 'Pain Factory', aired last week.
The ASA claims the episode aired "unverified allegations of the misuse of Medicare" and "there is a lack of transparency in the availability and interpretation of that data that alleged self-interest above patient interest". In addition, the Four Corners report failed to include details about how Medicare and private health insurers validate claims, said ASA.
"Patient records were the other missing link in completing the clinical picture in an effort to bring into disrepute a highly skilled, ethical, and patient-focused specialty," said ASA.
"Some of the broad brush claims made, not by the impacted patients, were inflammatory and try to bring into disrepute the work done by anaesthetists around Australia on a daily basis."
ASA's statements follow the response from the PHA yesterday (PD yesterday).
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