How much is medical care “worth”? The tricky question of value
Should we be worried about projected increases in health care spending? Or is it just the price we pay for better health? More
The Top Ten pediatric overuse articles from 2017
The pediatric field has been slower to recognize the problem of overuse, in part because there is less evidence available on overused services. A new review seeks to highlight studies that are filling these gaps in the research. More
Esketamine nears FDA approval, prompting both excitement and concern
As the powerful depression drug esketamine nearly FDA approval, some researchers are concerned that the approval would be lowering the bar for clinical evidence. More
American families spent more on hospital care than federal taxes in 2018
They say that nothing is certain but death and taxes. Maybe we should add "high health care costs" to that list of certainties... More
The “confounding” effect of compliance bias
What is compliance bias and how does it affect research on health interventions? More
Genomic sequencing in primary care: Promises unfulfilled
Will routine genomic sequencing be the innovation that revolutionizes medicine? Or is it more hype than substance? More
Benzos increasingly prescribed for dubious indications, study shows
A new study sheds finds that benzodiazepine are being increasingly prescribed chronic pain and long-term use, which may have harmful consequences. More
Incorporating cost into shared decision making conversations
The cost-benefit equation for lung cancer screening is missing a significant type of cost... More
Can physician characteristics predict overuse?
A new study finds that observable physician characteristics don't help much in explaining overuse. Then what could be the explanation? More
Measuring harm from low-value care
How frequently are patients harmed by low-value care in hospitals? A new study sheds light on hospital-acquired complications of unnecessary care. More
Remembering Dr. Lisa Schwartz, overdiagnosis and health communication expert
Dr. Lisa Schwartz, expert in overdiagnosis and health care communication, passed away in November 2018. We remember her vast contribution to medicine and journalism. More
Unnecessary wisdom tooth removal and opioid overprescribing go hand in hand
We should not just be asking, "Why are we prescribing so many opioids" but also, "Why are we doing so many wisdom teeth extractions?” More
The most influential articles on overuse from 2017
Each year, JAMA Internal Medicine publishes an update on overuse, featuring the top ten most influential articles on overuse from the previous year. Here are some highlights from this year's update! More
Another futuristic health care startup ignores overuse
Silicon Valley has the fix for primary care and - surprise! - it's more technology. More
Why we have a primary care crisis – and how we solve it
In a two-part blog series in Health Affairs, Lown Senior Vice President Shannon Brownlee and primary care doctors Andy Lazris and Alan Roth lay out the reasons behind these major issues and a blueprint to start fixing them. More
Introducing the Lown Right Care Series!
This new collaborative series between the Lown Institute and the Journal of the American Family Physician applies the framework of right care — evidence-based, patient-focused, high value care — to common clinical situations. More
The real reason why ORBITA is groundbreaking
If you thought the only takeaway from ORBITA was "stents don't work," you're missing the point, says Dr. Vikas Saini in Health Affairs. More
The narrative of “bad insurer” hides bad evidence
Why reporters need to look more carefully at evidence for costly treatments... More
Without full data, Vascepa trial results still a little bit fishy
Are omega-3 supplements the "new paradigm" in cardiovascular treatment? Not yet... More
Are bundled payments working? Yes and no.
New research on the CMS bundled payments program show mixed results - Let's break it down. More