Crime Writers On...True Crime Review The Preventionist
Nov 13, 2025
An official in Pennsylvania uncovered a troubling pattern of questionable child-abuse diagnoses leading to family upheaval. Dr. Debra Jenssen, a pediatric specialist, faced criticism for her overzealous misdiagnoses that disrupted many lives. The conversation dives into systemic biases, the emotional toll on affected families, and the challenges in questioning expert authority. Hosts discuss potential reforms and the balance between protecting children and preventing wrongful allegations, raising important questions about the medical system's power.
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County Controller’s Discovery
- County officials discovered many families were acted on because of one hospital specialist’s diagnoses.
- The controller argued money was wasted and lives were destroyed by an overabundance of caution from that doctor.
Outlier Data Signals Diagnostic Bias
- One doctor’s repeated abuse diagnoses can create systemic harm when unchecked by institutions.
- Statistical outliers (like excess Munchausen cases) are a clear red flag of diagnostic bias.
Use Dollars To Move Bureaucracy
- Framing the problem in economic terms helped the controller remove emotional resistance from officials.
- Fiscal arguments can prompt institutional action where moral appeals stall.