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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

NYT Covers Increased Medical Radiation

Yesterday, I had a post on how some cardiologists have reduced radiation exposures.  The New York Times has a good background article on the broader issue, and the author explains some of the underlying psychology which has led to the increase in the exposures.

Patients getting a radiation-based diagnosis or treatment enjoy modern medicine and can't feel any DNA damage.  The costs are usually covered by a third-party (insurer), so the patient is not very cost-of-test conscious.  A doctor is focused on whatever brought the patient to him/her in the first place and also wants to utilize all tools at his/her disposal to avoid a malpractice suit.  The doctor may also profit from more testing.

But as my earlier post discusses, the situation is improving.

The U.S. FDA is actively involved.

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