By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated columnist
First Published in Print: 10/01/2011
Vince Lombardi once famously declared that, in football, "The best defense is a good offense."
I thought about the coach's words while reading a new study about doctors ordering unnecessary medical tests and procedures -- whether practicing medicine on the defense or offense. The study was eye-opening in that it surveyed views about unnecessary medical care from the unique perspectives of 627 U.S. physicians on the front-line of medical practice -- internists and family practitioners who often call the plays that determine whether tests or subspecialty referrals are ordered.
In essence, this report in last week's Archives of Internal Medicine reveals that many doctors, by their own admission, believe that too many patients get too much care. And, after analyzing the explanations proposed by the doctors, the authors offer this striking conclusion: "Physicians believe they are paid to do more, and exposed to legal punishment if they do less." Read More