Doctors Urge Savings on Unneeded Care

Do you really need that test or treatment? In many cases, the answer is no, a coalition of nine doctors’ groups says. The groups released lists of five items each. They said doctors and patients should question whether tests and treatments on the lists are needed. They add to spending on health care. And some may even cause harm, the groups said. The items included most colonoscopies repeated after less than 10 years and antibiotics prescribed for most sinus infections. The doctors said people who faint but don’t have seizures usually don’t need a CT or MRI scan. And most people without heart disease symptoms don’t need routine stress tests. Cancer doctors were one of the groups involved. They listed criteria for stopping treatment of certain end-stage patients. Doctors of internal and family medicine also were part of the coalition.