There are a number of reasons given for why a clinician may order an unnecessary test or procedure.
Reasons clinical providers give for ordering an unnecessary test or procedure:
(1) malpractice concern
(2) just to be safe
(3) want more information to reassure self
(4) patient insists on testing/want to keep patient happy
(5) patient should have final decision
(6) not enough time with patients
(7) fee-for-service system
(8) new technology in practice
This is distinct from duplicate testing, where a test is ordered because the clinician is unable to access the results of a test performed elsewhere.
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
