Doctor’s Tests (And Meds) You Don’t Need

Vocabulary

1. Skyrocketing-(v/idiom)- shoot up abruptly, like a rocket; to rise rapidly (as in price )
Ex. The skyrocketing costs of medical treatment cause people to look for alternative medicines/treatment.
2. Foregoing –(adj)- already written or stated; previously stated
Ex. The foregoing paragraph presents the problem.
3. Radiologists –(n)- a medical specialist who uses radioactive substances and X-rays in the treatment of disease
Ex. A radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the reading and interpretation of X-rays and other medical images.
4. Academicians –(n)- a member of an association or institution for the advancement of arts, sciences, or letters
Ex. Reforms were instituted over the protests of the academicians.
5. Oncologists –(n)- A medical doctor that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Some oncologists treat patients with all forms of cancer, and others specialize in only one type of cancer.
Ex. After Jan's doctor suspected she may have cancer, he referred her to an oncologist.

With the cost of gasoline and basic commodities skyrocketing, what's to stop the medical care system from increasing their rates too?
However, higher doctor’s fees shouldn’t mean putting your health at risk by skipping your regular check-up in a bid to save money.
Instead, the answer may lie in foregoing diagnostic tests that are unlikely to aid in the treatment of your condition.

Some tests can cause harm

In the U.S., an initiative called Choosing Wisely has been launched by an American medical foundation to encourage doctors and patients “to think and talk about medical tests and procedures that may be unnecessary, and in some instances can cause harm.”
It also encourages physicians to use evidence-based medicine in treating their patients.

Heeding the call are nine medical societies which compiled their list of "Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question" in an effort to make the patient avoid unnecessary and very often, costly, diagnostic tests.
For example, radiologists have been cautioned to avoid routine x-rays for patients checking into hospitals with a normal or “unremarkable” history and physical exam.

Overuse of CT scans and antibiotics

Also common among other groups like oncologists, family physicians and cardiologists and others are warnings against the overuse of CT scans and antibiotics.

Often, doctors choose to "over" prescribe lab tests for fear of missing out on a serious disease that the patient might have and avoiding the prospect of being sued for malpractice.

Evidence-based medicine, backed by several, large population studies, is the answer.
Decisions and choices that are supported by academicians and researchers who are the authorities in their field of specialty will give both the doctor and the patient peace of mind that they are taking the right course of action.

Questions

1. According to the article, what should people do to save money from medical bills without putting their health at risk?
2. Is it true that all medical/diagnostic tests are necessary and safe?
3. Why do doctors tend to “over-prescribe” lab tests/ antibiotics to their patients?
4. What is evidenced-based medicine?