Healthcare is out of ordinary

All warfare is based on deception.

Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.

If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

From "Sun Tzu on the Art of War - The Oldest Military Treatise in the World"

Translated from the Chinese By Lionel Giles, M.A. (1910)

Discussion:

This is the part I really like. Quite a few medical procedures contradict what ordinary people experience in daily life and medical settings are quite different from places of daily living sometimes. From the population health view points, the general public's perceptions on health and welfare issues are often very remote from the realities and policies to address them tend to contradict to "the common sense" and create severe conflicts. It would be too much to say "All healthcare is based on deception" but it is sure that healthcare is out of ordinary.

Translation:

On the whole, healthcare is out of ordinary.

Hence, when able to attack, we may seem unable; when using our forces, we may seem inactive; when we are near, we may seem far away from the cause of a disease; when far away, we may seem we are near.

Use visual examinations and markers to discover hidden diseases. Approach non-invasively, and crush it.

If a condition is sure to emerge at all points, be prepared for it. If a disease is difficult to cure, prevent it.

If a condition should respond to a certain stimuli, seek to stimulate it. Resort to weak interventions, that the symptoms may grow evident.

If a tumour is taking up nutrition, suffocate it. If a stone is formed by concentration, crush it.

Attack microorganisms when they are unprotected, using the antibiotics they are not resistant to.

These medical devices, leading to treatment, must not be exposed beforehand.

Ray Murakami