A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that clinicians who received electronic alerts about unnecessary care were less likely to provide unnecessary treatments to older adults. Over-treatment, especially in cases like prostate cancer screening and diabetes medications, poses significant risks to patients. The study involved over 350 clinicians who were educated on these dangers, leading to a marked decrease in overuse during a follow-up period. Despite the alerts, after their removal, care overuse rates reverted among all clinicians, signaling the need for ongoing support against over-treatment.
In the study, more than 350 clinicians at 60 primary care practices throughout Chicago received online education about the dangers of overuse of care, specifically prostate cancer screening in men aged 76 years or older without a history of prostate cancer; urine testing in women aged 65 years or older for nonspecific reasons; and prescribing insulin or other drugs that cause low blood sugar to patients with diabetes aged 75 years or older who had a hemoglobin A1c level less than 7 percent.
From a behavioral science perspective, we think the reason clinicians may not follow published evidence is because they're worried about something. They're perceiving something that the patient wants or they're perceiving how they'll feel if they miss something.
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