Docs “Under-Test” To Impress Peers

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

While they care about their patients’ welfare and might feel that tests can burden patients with steep financial, physical, and emotional costs, the doctors are also concerned about maintaining their reputations as top-flight diagnosticians. “These doctors believe that they know what’s best and that testing isn’t always necessary. Testing has implications and may lead some of their peers to have less regard for their inherent diagnostic skills,” explains Dai. Singh adds, “Past studies have shown an industry bias against doctors who perform numerous tests.”