RT Journal
A1 Sirovich BE, Woloshin S, Schwartz LM
T1 Training in uncertainty has value for primary care physicians: Overreliance on technology can be remedied—reply
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2012
FD February 13
VO 172
IS 3
SP 296
OP 297
DO 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.1567
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2011.1567
AB 
One fundamental principle that new physicians need to understand is that, ironically, more testing often increases—rather than decreases—clinical uncertainty. First, it is a rare diagnostic test that yields a yes or no answer regarding a suspected clinical condition; test results may reduce—or increase—uncertainty.1 Second, diagnostic testing (particularly imaging) frequently reveals unexpected abnormalities unrelated to the reason for the examination.2- 3 There is typically great uncertainty about whether following and treating these abnormalities does more good than harm.