RT Journal
A1 Heidenreich PA
T1 ASsessing the value of a diagnostic test
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2009
FD July 27
VO 169
IS 14
SP 1262
OP 1264
DO 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.208
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2009.208
AB 
Why has diagnostic testing, and in particular diagnostic imaging, increased to such a high level in the United States?1 I would argue that it is a combination of our medical culture (and our human nature) to eliminate uncertainty, scientific and technical advances leading to new and improved noninvasive tests, substantial barriers to evaluating the value of each test, and patient preference. Combined, these factors have likely contributed to an exponential growth in testing (particularly imaging) in recent years and are the areas that must be addressed if we wish to provide more efficient care.