LIAR-LIAR: The Physician Paradox?

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

By Staff Reporters

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Classic Definition: Suppose someone tells you “I am lying.” If what he/she tells you is true, then he/she is lying, in which case what he/she tells you are false. On the other hand, if what he/she tells you is false, then he/she is not lying, in which case what he/she tells you is true.

Modern Circumstance: In short: if “I am lying” is true then it is false, and if it is false then it is true. 

Paradox Example: The paradox arises for any sentence that says or implies of itself that it is false (the simplest example being “This sentence is false”). It is attributed to the ancient Greek seer Epimenides (fl. c. 6th century BCE), an inhabitant of Crete, who famously declared that “All Cretans are liars” (consider what follows if the declaration is true). The paradox is important in part because it creates severe difficulties for logically rigorous theories of truth; it was not adequately addressed (which is not to say solved) until the 20th century.

Paradox Example: Doctors lie because, as caretakers, our role is to improve the lives of their patients. Re-assuring patients during some of the most difficult times of their lives counts as improving their well being! This is an acceptable practice because it does not cause harm.

Paradox Example: Cultural differences may make a lie of omission or the practice of withholding information from the patient, prudent. For instance, some cultures and religions dictate that the husband or head male family members make all medical decisions for women.

Paradox Example: Many physicians don’t report “near misses” to their patients. But, concealing serious medical errors is something we recommend against.

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A NEW NORM: Revising Financial Planning Principles for Physicians?

Posted on March 1, 2025 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

DR. DAVID EDWARD MARCINKO; MBA MEd CMP™

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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In 1972, Nobel Laureate Kenneth J. Arrow, PhD shocked academe’ by identifying health economics as a separate and distinct field. Yet, the seemingly disparate insurance, tax, risk management and financial planning principles that he also studied are just now becoming transparent to some medical professionals and their financial advisors. Despite the fact that a basic, but hardly promoted premise of this new wave financial planning era, is imprecision.

More: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2024/11/09/arrow-information-paradox/

Nevertheless, to informed cognoscenti like Certified Medical Planners™, the principles served as predecessors to the modern physician-focused financial advisory niche sector. In 2004, Arrow was selected as one of eight recipients of the National Medal of Science for his innovative views.

More: http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

And now, as a long bull market may be over, and if the current “new-normal” prevails – meaning a 4.5% real annualized rate of return on equities and a 1.5% real rate on bonds – wealth accumulation for all may be reduced.

An Imprecise Science

There is a major variable, dominant in any marketplace that pushes an economy in a forward direction. It is called consumerism. This became apparent while waiting in a doctor’s office one recent afternoon.

Scenario:

The front office receptionist, who appeared to be about 21 years old, was breaking for lunch and her replacement, who appeared not much older, came over to assist. Realizing the propensity for a long wait, one was taken by the size of waiting room and the number of patients coming in and out of the office. [Americans consume healthcare and a lot of it]. There was another notable peculiarity. The sample prescription bags being carried out the door were no match for the bags under everyone’s eyes, including the doctor’s. The office staff was probably working overtime, if not two jobs, and the doctor was working harder and faster in a managed care system.

Assessment

Why? So they all could afford to buy and voraciously consume for their children and themselves. Americans indeed work longer hours than any other industrialized nation.

Conclusion

Finally, as women medical professionals entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, the stock markets reached an all time high in 2025, even as money was spent at a feverish pace as the Federal Reserve pumped out money in inflammatory fashion.

EDUCATION: Books

SPEAKING: Dr. Marcinko will be speaking and lecturing, signing and opining, teaching and preaching, storming and performing at many locations throughout the USA this year! His tour of witty and serious pontifications may be scheduled on a planned or ad-hoc basis; for public or private meetings and gatherings; formally, informally, or over lunch or dinner. All medical societies, financial advisory firms or Broker-Dealers are encouraged to submit a RFP for speaking engagements: CONTACT: MarcinkoAdvisors@outlook.com 

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