Information from a research letter published in the Dec. 6 issue of the journal Annals of Surgery suggests an overuse of certain antibiotics, aggressive non-palliative treatment in patients with limited life expectancy, treatment of chronic pain, and dietary supplements. 

The researchers randomly surveyed 5,000 members of the American College of Physicians and asked them to identify two treatments frequently used by internists but unlikely to provide high value care to patients. They found that many physicians continue to prescribe more costly treatments, despite evidence highlighting the efficacy and efficiency of generic medications, and a lack of evidence supporting the use of newer and more expensive medications compared to older medications. Learn more...