Moderation in medical intervention

For various diseases and symptoms that previously went unrecognised or untreated, medical interventions have now become available. However, sometimes medical intervention overshoots its target. That may result in ordering a test without any indication that something is wrong. Or patients might receive a treatment that does not make them better. It appears to be difficult in practice to tackle such unwanted ‘medicalisation’. According to the Health Council of the Netherlands, improvements are necessary in doctor-patient (more time for consultations) communication, and in the quality and reliability of medical information on the internet. Also better regulation of the admission of new medical devices and diagnostics is required. And medical guidelines should devote explicit attention to the risk of medicalisation.