14
May 2015
Campaign launched to stop doctors ‘over-treating’ patients
Doctors’ leaders writing in the British Medical Journal have urged medics to stop ‘over-treating’ their patients, warning that this action could be harming them.
There is also a suggestion that patients are having tests or being given medication that they do not need, because doctors are feeling under pressure to act.
According to the Academy of Medicine Royal Colleges (AoMRC), there is increasing evidence that patients are sometimes having treatment that is of no value, because of the pressure for doctors to take action at consultations.
The report also suggests that some patients are being over-diagnosed with conditions that ultimately may do them little or no harm.
While it is argued that requesting doctors to change their practices could be controversial, experts say that if it leads to better care, it is worthwhile.
Author of the report and heart specialist, Dr Aseem Malhotra, said “Over-diagnosis and over-treatment are the products of a broken system.
“For the sake of our patients, there needs to be a radical overhaul in culture so we can provide the best quality care.”
Jeremy Taylor, of the National Voices patient charity, welcomed this move, saying “The evidence shows where patients are involved in the decision, people will often choose less intervention.
“They do not ask for endless new treatments, but make appropriate – and often less costly – choices.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in Medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), Medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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