If the doc fails to order the exams and fails to diagnose one of these potentially lethal conditions, and the patient has an adverse outcome the doc (and his family) will suffer for it in many ways, for many years.
Understandible to me; order the tests and spread the cost around rather than takes society's (legal) responsibility solely on your own (and your family's) back.
Note: There are A LOT of headache, belly pain and shortness of breath visits. Also, all of the above also applies to other types of testing including laboratory.
The other big contributor is self-referral for above-described diagnostics.
After 5 five days of low grade pain, in my side, I decided it was time to go to the after hours clinic. After triage I was sent to the ER instead. The ensuing abdominal CT scan clearly showed the swollen/inflamed pancreas. Some meds and several days rest and things are all good again. While I am glad to feel better it is bittersweet to realize that this 2 hour visit to the hospital will most likely cover the annual family deductible for our insurance.
yep. I had a patient go to the ER last week. CT scan abdomen and full battery of lab tests for .........constipation. The patient should not have gone to the ER. Should have come to the office. I could have diagnosed the problem for less than 100.00. Do I blame the ER doc? No cause they do not know this patient and they are araid of being sued. That is the flat truth. Till something is done about defensive Medicine and lgov monopoly on health care nothing will change. Nothing.