The RCT blind spot
Randomized controlled trials are known as the "gold standard" in medical research--but they also have a significant down-side... More
News story or advertisement? Advertorials obscure hospital sponsor
A new series of articles in the Boston Globe touts the generosity and quality of Boston Children’s hospital. But who is funding these articles…? More
Incidence vs mortality: Which cancers are we overdiagnosing?
Over the past several decades, the medical community has made many positive advances in cancer prevention and treatment, leading to reduced deaths from cancer. However, for some types of cancer, we have not improved mortality rates despite pouring billions of dollars into early detection efforts. Which types of cancers are we preventing, which types are […] More
Redefining informed consent: What do patients want to know?
A new study examines the definition of informed consent and finds that patients want to know much more than clinicians usually tell them. More
Routine urine testing: It’s a culture problem
Testing asymptomatic adults for urinary tract infections often leads to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. So why do doctors keep doing it? More
Testing a radical approach to cancer: Less chemotherapy
This oncologist is taking a "Lownian" approach to treating advanced cancer. More
Research on overuse harms: Where do we go from here?
How do we frame overuse not just as an issue of cost but also as an issue of harm? A recap of the Lown Institute meeting on overuse harms research. More
Why is it difficult to provide the right care to adults with dementia?
The latest edition in the Lown Right Care Series in American Family Physician offers tips for providing right care to adults with dementia. More
Virginia’s “best” hospital sues 6,000 patients each year
The University of Virginia Medical Center is ranked as the "best" hospital in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report, but the hospital is among the worst when it comes to suing patients for unpaid medical bills. More
The top ten overuse studies of 2018
Which studies on overuse in 2018 were the most influential? More
Overtreatment of diabetes leads to thousands of hospitalizations each year
A recent study finds that overtreatment of older adults for Type 2 diabetes is common, harmful, and preventable. More
What are private insurers doing to prevent fraud? Not Much.
Why aren't private insurers prosecuting people who commit fraud? Because it would hurt their bottom line, a ProPublica investigation finds. More
When a deal isn’t really a deal: Coupons for medical imaging
If you buy something you don't need at a high discount, does that make it a good deal? Why patients should be wary of Groupons for medical imaging. More
New report finds disturbing variation in neonatal intensive care
Does the supply of NICU beds correspond to the need for intensive care? Or are some infants being placed in the NICU when less intensive care would be safer? More
The life cycle of medical debt
Two stories in the recent news demonstrate how hospitals and debt collection agencies will go to extreme lengths to get the money they believe they are owed. More
Why we can’t ignore medication overload
On the Institute for Healthcare Improvement blog, Dr. Terry Fulmer, President of The John A. Hartford Foundation, explains why tackling medication overload is essential for older adults. More
Will health care startups really improve health?
From high-tech fitness trackers, to genome sequencing, to pill delivery services, health care startups are booming in popularity. But in their quest to "disrupt" health care, these startups are missing a key point. More
How conflicts of interest put new mothers at risk
How undisclosed conflicts of interest may have put millions of pregnant and postpartum women at risk... More
Summer updates in conflicts of interest research
Recent developments in research on financial conflicts of interest in medicine are helping health care watchdogs hold health professionals and institutions accountable for their financial relationships with industry. Read on! More
Why we need a national health information highway
Our piecemeal approach to health information exchange hasn't worked in most places in the US. How do we get on a better path? More