Too much of a good thing
Dartmouth researchers find that patterns of medical care vary widely — and that more services don't mean better outcomes.
An article in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2007 about the cancer risk associated with the radiation from CT scans got a good deal of attention. In the measured, passive voice so often used in medical journal articles ("…there is a strong case to be made…"), the team of authors from Columbia University Medical Center suggested that many of the potentially cancer-causing scans are probably unnecessary and done for the wrong reasons — out of fear of lawsuits and inadvertent duplication.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.