Review article

Overdiagnosis – a New Phenomenon of Modern Medicine

Lidija Gajski

Abstract

Overdiagnosis occurs when people without symptoms are diagnosed with a “disease” that ultimately will not cause them to experience difficulties or early death. It is a phenomenon of modern medicine which has been recognized recently and has become an important debate topic within the medical field, as well as within areas of the social sciences and humanities.
Overdiagnosis happens in the various fields of medicine, most often resulting from screening and other preventive programs, as well as from use of increasingly sensitive diagnostic technologies. The significance of overdiagnosis is in that it leads to unnecessary pharmacological, surgical and other therapeutic interventions. In the context of its negative health-related, psychological, economic and cultural effects, it is essential to articulate its nature and extent.

Keywords

overdiagnosis; screeening; medical imaging; unnecessary treatment

Hrčak ID:

137030

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/137030

Publication date:

30.3.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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