Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health

(Paperback)

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A complex web of factors has created the phenomenon of overdiagnosis- the popular media promotes fear of disease and perpetuates the myth that early, aggressive treatment is always best; in an attempt to avoid lawsuits, doctors have begun to leave no test undone, no abnormality overlooked; and profits are being made from screenings, medical procedures, and pharmaceuticals. Revealing the social, medical, and economic ramifications of a health-care system that overdiagnoses and overtreats patients, Dr. H. Gilbert Welch makes a reasoned call for change that would save us pain, worry, and money.

Reviews

Very insightful and engaging.Dennis Rosen, The Boston Globe

One of the most important books about health care in the last several years.Cato Institute

"One of the big strengths of this relatively small book is that if you are inclined to ponder medicine's larger questions, you get to tour them all. What is health, really... In the finite endeavor that is life, when is it permissible to stop preventing things And if the big questions just make you itchy, you can concentrate on the numbers instead: The authors explain most of the important statistical concepts behind evidence-based medicine in about as friendly a way as you are likely to find."Abigail Zuger, MD, The New York Times

"Overdiagnosed albeit controversialis a provocative, intellectually stimulating work. As such, all who are involved in health care, including physicians, allied health professionals, and all current or future patients, will be well served by reading and giving serious thought to the material presented." JAMA

Everyone should read this book before going to the doctor! Welcome evidence that more testing and treatment is not always better. Susan Love, MD, author of Dr. Susan Loves Breast Book

This book makes a compelling case against excessive medical screening and diagnostic testing in asymptomatic people. Its important but underappreciated message is delivered in a highly readable style. I recommend it enthusiastically for everyone. Arnold S. Relman, MD, editor-in-chief emeritus, New England Journal of Medicine, and author of A Second Opinion: Rescuing Americas Health Care

This stunning book will help you and your loved ones avoid the hazards of too much health care. Within just a few pages, youll be recommending it to family and friends, and, hopefully, your local physician. If every medical student read Overdiagnosed, there is little doubt that a safer, healthier world would be the result. Ray Moynihan, conjoint lecturer at the University of Newcastle, visiting editor of the British Medical Journal, and author of Selling Sickness

An overdiagnosis is a label no one wants: it is worrisome, it augurs overtreatment, and it has no potential for personal benefit. This elegant book forewarns you. It also teaches you how and why to ask, Do I really need to know this before agreeing to any diagnostic or screening test. A close read is good for your health. Nortin M. Hadler, MD, professor of medicine and microbiology/immunology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of Worried Sick and The Last Well Person

Weve all been made to believe that it is always in peoples best interest to try to detect health problems as early as possible. Dr. Welch explains, with gripping examples and ample evidence, how those who have been overdiagnosed cannot benefit from treatment; they can only be harmed. I hope this book will trigger a paradigm shift in the medical establishments thinking. Sidney Wolfe, MD, author of Worst Pills, Best Pills and editor of WorstPills.org

Author Bio

Dr. H. Gilbert Welch is a renowned authority on the effects of medical screening who has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, NPR, and in the New York Times and Washington Post. He and his coauthors, Dr. Lisa M. Schwartz and Dr. Steven Woloshin, nationally recognized experts in risk communication, are professors at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.