More tests, less acumen reshaping medicine
“More non-essential tests are being ordered by doctors because of that fear, according to Dr. Kopjas.
‘Do doctors over-order tests? Absolutely,’ he said. ‘Look at what happens in the ER (emergency room) and how many CAT scans are ordered there.’
The effect of not being able to rely on clinical acumen is discouraging for medical professionals, according to Dr. Kopjas.
‘There is no cookbook for patient care. But when people demand you end up shotgunning. If you can’t rely on your clinical gestalt because you’d better cover yourself. That’s discouraging,’ Kopjas said.”
