Overview
The article recounts the personal experiences of the patient, Jean Hanvik.
Frustration with diagnostic imaging as the first line of defense has been a growing concern for decades. Potential health risks and related expenses as a result of unwarranted (unnecessary) procedures demand we balance the benefits of imaging with the needs of patient safety. Practitioners and patients need to view imaging as a tool of diagnosis and treatment rather than a default practice for every patient encounter. Overutilization is not a new phenomenon, it has been documented and recognized for decades.
This week we consider the story of Jean Hanvik, a patient with recurrent diverticulitis. Is Jean's experience common place? Have you or a family member/friend had a similar experience?
Heavy Use of CT Scans Raises Concerns about Patients' Exposure to Radiation 2016
http://khn.org/news/heavy-use-of-ct-scans-raises-concerns-about-patients-exposure-to-radiation/