'Defensive medicine' takes many forms

"DEFENSIVE MEDICINE" ("Doctors' fear of lawsuits tied to added costs of $1.4b") is a more pervasive mind-set than ordering more than the obvious tests and procedures. It is also a big factor in the reluctance of physicians to push themselves to think creatively and make any diagnosis at all in cases that lack a slam-dunk diagnosis. Patients languish without proper care while they shuttle from one specialist to another seeking a clinician willing to take the risk of making a diagnosis if the case is at all unusual or complex. Similarly, many physicians are refusing to prescribe medications that have well-publicized risks. How do you calculate those costs?

Jessica Solodar
Newton