‘Over-treating’ patients is wasteful, unnecessary and can cause them harm, campaign claims
In all the discussion about rising rural healthcare costs this is an interesting contribution to the debate. It tells us:
Rather than doctors missing something, the greater risk to a greater number of patients – and even, some say to the future of the NHS as well – may come from exactly the opposite: doctors doing too much. The ‘Choosing Wisely’ programme – inspired by similar endeavours in the USA, Canada, Germany and Australia – will see the medical royal colleges drawing up lists of procedures that expert opinion now suggests should not be used routinely, if at all. Doctors will be asked to ensure patients are fully informed about the potential risks of their treatment, and patients will be encouraged to challenge their doctors’ decision. Apparently there is growing evidence that patients are being over-diagnosed and over-treated for a wide range of conditions including prostate and thyroid cancers, asthma, and high blood pressure. Leading doctors argue that the heart of the problem is a culture of ‘defensive medicine’ – with doctors willing to try every test or treatment at their disposal rather than be accused of negligence for or of missing a warning sign.