A practical framework for understanding and reducing medical overuse: Conceptualizing overuse through the patient-clinician interaction

Daniel J. Morgan, Aaron L. Leppin, Cynthia D. Smith, Deborah Korenstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Overuse of medical services is an increasingly recognized driver of poor-quality care and high cost. A practical framework is needed to guide clinical decisions and facilitate concrete actions that can reduce overuse and improve care. We used an iterative, expert-informed, evidence- based process to develop a framework for conceptualizing interventions to reduce medical overuse. Given the complexity of defining and identifying overused care in nuanced clinical situations and the need to define care appropriateness in the context of an individual patient, this framework conceptualizes the patient–clinician interaction as the nexus of decisions regarding inappropriate care. This interaction is influenced by other utilization drivers, including healthcare system factors, the practice environment, the culture of professional medicine, the culture of healthcare consumption, and individual patient and clinician factors. The variable strength of the evidence supporting these domains highlights important areas for further investigation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)346-351
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of hospital medicine
Volume12
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Leadership and Management
  • Internal Medicine
  • Fundamentals and skills
  • Health Policy
  • Care Planning
  • Assessment and Diagnosis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A practical framework for understanding and reducing medical overuse: Conceptualizing overuse through the patient-clinician interaction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this