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On Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:21:07 -0700, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

wrote in message
. ..
On Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:22:20 -0500, "Peter (Yes, that one)"
wrote:


You have not defined "defensive medicine."
Whenever I hear that phrase used I wonder what it means.
"Unnecessary tests" is often used in conjunction with "defensive
medicine."

An example of defensive medicine is when the doctor gives someone an
MRI when there is really nothing in their diagnosis that justifies an
MRI but the doctor is afraid if anything ever did go south he would
have to defend that decision.
I had that happen to me.


Why didn't you refuse? I've refused certain procedures. It's no big deal.
The patient is the one who's in charge.


The short answer, My wife's insurance was supposed to cover it.
It turns out, about half of it.
That is part of the problem with insurance. As long as something is
covered, people will do it, whether they need to or not.


You're still under no obligation to have a procedure you don't agree with.
Just because a doctor says it doesn't make it God's law.

Example: I jammed my finger a couple years ago. I went to the urgent care
because it swelled up like crazy and turned red. The PA ordered an X-ray and
put me on anti-biotics for the obvious infection. I was told to make an
appointment in a week with my regular doc just to be sure. It was quite a
bit better, but I went in anyway, since it was still a little swollen and
it's my right hand. My doc said it was possible that I had a hairline
fracture and wanted to do another X-ray, since his equipment was digital and
he'd be able to see it. I asked what the treatment would be if it was broken
vs. just tendon bruising. No difference. Thus, I said, no X-ray.

--
Nom=de=Plume