Survey Finds That Doctors Overtest Patients

06-29-2010

A recent survey published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that ninety percent of physicians say patients are overtested in order to prevent possible malpractice suits.  More than 1,200 primary care physicians and specialists from across the U.S. were asked two questions: “Do physicians order more tests and procedures than patients need to protect themselves from malpractice suits?” and “Are protections against unwarranted malpractice lawsuits needed to decrease the unnecessary use of diagnostic tests?” Ninety-one percent of all respondents agreed with both statements.

For more information concerning the survey, visit the Archives of Internal Medicine.