Reasons for Overtreatment: Comment on “Too Little? Too Much? Primary Care Physicians' Views on US Health Care”

Abstract

Among a nationally representative sample of primary care physicians, Sirovich and colleagues found that 2 in 5 reported that their own patients receive too much health care—tests and treatments that may result in overdiagnosis and drug-related adverse effects. Some of this self-acknowledged overtreatment appears to be driven by financial incentives, but inadequate time to spend with patients was also reported to increase testing and treatment, likely substituting for explanation and...