"The Treatment Trap" Reviewed in Oncology Times

BOOK REVIEW: 'The Treatment Trap: How the Overuse of Medical... : Oncology Times

by Dr. Diane E. Meier MD

Oncology Times: 25 June 2010 - Volume 32 - Issue 12 - p 56

"...I thought I knew what there was to know about the overuse of medical care. I work in a big city tertiary care subspecialist-driven hospital. I am a geriatrician and a palliative medicine physician. I spend much of my clinical time trying to help patients and families make decisions that best fit their needs and goals among the ever-increasing range of treatment options offered to them. So I was surprised to find myself staying up late to finish thias book with a rising sense of despair at what has happened to our medical profession...."

"...The audience for this book is the general public. But we physicians should read it and reflect on what we may be risking. The reward and privilege of the practice of medicine depends entirely on trust—the fundamental priceless trust of our patients in our intent to do all in our considerable power to help them. Once the general public starts to believe that we could be using patients for purposes other than their own best interest—purposes such as increasing our volume to make money or to please hospital administrators; recommending treatments without a clear and honest explanation of the risks and the alternatives—we will lose the basis of our position and power to help.'"

"...The Treatment Trap is the canary in the mine for the medical profession."

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New America Foundation Blog About New "Share Your Story" Survey

The New America Foundation's June 14 blog highlights the "Share Your Story" of overtreatment survey that was launched that day in partnership with TreatmentTrap.org and Consumer Union's Safe Patient Project. Check it out: http://health.newamerica.net/blogmain

Why are stories from consumers/patients important? I had a conversation recently with a progressive leader in an integrated health care system -- insurer + delivery system. She said that health insurance companies, hospitals and doctors won't be leading the charge on overtreatment. If they do, it will be perceived as rationing. Think "death panels".

Smart patients and consumers know better, and the stories coming in show that many of you are out there. Have you or a loved one had tests, surgeries, procedures or medications that you thought were unnecessary? Share your story. It can help others avoid the pitfalls and harm that can come from overtreatment.

Please click here to Share Your Story!

AP > Overtreated: More medical care isn't always better

In this photo taken May 4, 2010, a CT is performed on a patient at Cook County Stroger Hospital in Chicago. Americans get the most medical radiation in the world, even more than folks in other rich countries. The U.S. 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. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Overtreated: More medical care isn't always better | ajc.com:

By LAURAN NEERGAARD
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — More medical care won't necessarily make you healthier — it may make you sicker. It's an idea that technology-loving Americans find hard to believe."

Anywhere from one-fifth to nearly one-third of the tests and treatments we get are estimated to be unnecessary, and avoidable care is costly in more ways than the bill: It may lead to dangerous side effects...

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