| Today, when a person is sick or bothered by an injury | | | | to be sure that they do not miss something (which |
| and goes to their doctor, they almost always expect | | | | could lead to a malpractice lawsuit). In the most |
| that the doctor will order some kind of specialized test. | | | | dubious instances, the doctor may be paid by the |
| In many cases, this assumption is correct. Now more | | | | procedure or even own the diagnostic equipment, so |
| than ever, it seems that it is difficult to have a medical | | | | revenues from testing factor into their paychecks. |
| issue diagnosed without undergoing a series of tests, | | | | Regardless of the cause, it is a little frightening that a |
| some of which are quite invasive or could have painful | | | | serious test like a CT (or CAT) scan may be ordered |
| side effects. Before ordering such tests, physicians | | | | for a patient whose only complaint is frequent |
| have the responsibility to inform their patients of the | | | | headaches. This type of imaging test exposes its |
| reasons a test is needed and the potential risks it may | | | | subject to over one hundred times the radiation of a |
| carry. | | | | standard X-ray scan. While it is difficult to find specific |
| Some tests may have very limited side effects. | | | | statistics relating CT scans to cancer development |
| Others may cause serious discomfort during the test | | | | later in life, there is little doubt that that level of radiation |
| or soreness that lingers on after. In some cases, such | | | | exposure is best reserved for situations where it is |
| as imaging tests that utilize targeted radiation, there is | | | | truly needed. In the case of seeking a diagnosis for a |
| some worry that there may be an increased long-term | | | | person whose only symptom is headaches, it probably |
| risk for cancer. Not all side-effects are health issues, | | | | does more harm than good. |
| though. Especially for those without good insurance, | | | | If you are planning on visiting a doctor seeking a |
| unnecessary testing can lead to inordinately high | | | | diagnosis for medical problems you are experiencing, |
| medical bills. If a person is already struggling to get by, | | | | you should consider the possible consequences of |
| this financial strain might be an insurmountable hurdle. | | | | extensive and potentially unnecessary tests. Talk to |
| There are various reasons that over testing has | | | | your doctor about the specifics of the test, and ask |
| become such a common occurrence in the modern | | | | about possible alternatives. If you have suffered |
| medical environment. Sometimes patients demand that | | | | medically or financially from a doctor who you believe |
| tests be run to alleviate their anxiety and paranoia. In | | | | ordered unnecessary tests without discussing them |
| other situations, a doctor may push for a test in order | | | | with you first, you may be entitled to compensation. |