We in this country truly believe that more is better. This usually flows into peoples' beliefs about health care as well. The problem, as doctors know, is that this is not only NOT true but also can be bad for you. A recent AP article describes this problem and notes that the "US accounts for half of the most advanced procedures that use radiation, and the average American’s dose has grown sixfold over the last couple of decades." Wow. There are a lot of reasons for this. There are primary care docs who keep ordering tests out of either stupidity or fear (of being sued). There are patients that demand the tests. Lastly, there are radiologists who keep recommending them and it is impossible to refuse those recommendations (see above for fear of lawsuits). Gee, I sure hope this changes because we are going to be the only population that will glow at night. We will be a nation of fireflies.
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