Overdiagnosis in primary care: framing the problem and finding solutions.

Minal S. Kale; Deborah Korenstein

Review

Emerging Classic

Overdiagnosis in primary care: framing the problem and finding solutions.

September 12, 2018

Kale MS, Korenstein D. BMJ. 2018;362:k2820.

View more articles from the same authors.

Overdiagnosis has emerged as a quality and safety concern due to its potential to result in financial and emotional harm for patients and their families. This review discusses factors that contribute to overdiagnosis in primary care including financial incentives and innovations in diagnostic technologies. The authors recommend increasing awareness about the negative consequences of unneeded screenings, clarifying the definition of overdiagnosis, and adjusting cultural expectations for testing and treatment as avenues for improvement.

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Overdiagnosis in primary care: framing the problem and finding solutions.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, and Baylor College of Medicine Revised Safer Diagnosis (Safer Dx) Instrument

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