No Result
View All Result
SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES
  • Login
Thursday, October 23, 2025
TheAdviserMagazine.com
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
No Result
View All Result
TheAdviserMagazine.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Market Research Money

Why Some Doctors Still Recommend Outdated Medical Tests

by TheAdviserMagazine
3 months ago
in Money
Reading Time: 6 mins read
A A
Why Some Doctors Still Recommend Outdated Medical Tests
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LInkedIn


Image source: Unsplash

You’d think with all the advances in modern medicine, doctors would only recommend the most current, research-backed diagnostic tools. But that’s not always the case. Across the country, patients, especially older adults, are still being sent for outdated or unnecessary medical tests. From full-body scans that detect little to procedures that haven’t been recommended for years, these legacy habits persist in a system that claims to be science-driven.

This isn’t always the result of incompetence or greed. Sometimes it’s routine, sometimes it’s pressure from patients, and sometimes it’s the inertia of medical training that hasn’t caught up with evolving standards. But one thing is certain: outdated testing can waste money, lead to unnecessary anxiety, or even cause harm.

Understanding why these tests still get ordered and how to spot them can help you become a more informed, proactive patient.

The Role of Medical Training and Habit

Many doctors trained decades ago, and while most do keep up with continuing education, old habits can be hard to break. Some medical schools and residency programs emphasized certain tests as standard tools, even if newer research has since disproven their utility.

For instance, annual EKGs for healthy patients without symptoms were once routine. Today, they’re generally discouraged by organizations like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which has found little benefit in screening asymptomatic individuals. Yet they’re still frequently ordered out of habit.

When time is tight and patient volumes are high, defaulting to familiar tests is easier than re-evaluating a protocol. This inertia can result in outdated procedures being used long after newer guidelines have emerged.

Patient Expectations and Pressure

Another surprising factor? You, the patient. Some patients equate more tests with better care. A doctor who doesn’t order a full battery of screenings may be perceived as negligent or dismissive, especially by older patients accustomed to more “thorough” approaches from years past.

To avoid conflict or lawsuits, some doctors continue to order tests they know aren’t necessary, just to reassure patients or meet perceived expectations. In some cases, it’s easier to print a lab order than to explain why a test is no longer recommended.

The problem? These unnecessary tests can create a cascade of follow-up procedures, false positives, or invasive biopsies, all of which carry risks.

Defensive Medicine and Legal Concerns

We live in a litigious culture, and many doctors practice what’s known as “defensive medicine.” This means they order tests not because they’re needed, but because they want to shield themselves from potential lawsuits.

It’s a symptom of a medical system where second-guessing and courtroom fears weigh heavily on every decision. If a doctor skips a test and a patient later develops a problem, no matter how unlikely, there’s always the possibility of being blamed.

So, even if current evidence shows a test has little clinical value, some physicians continue ordering it as a legal safeguard, passing the cost and consequence down to the patient.

Lack of Updated Guidelines or Awareness of Them

Medical knowledge evolves quickly, and sometimes formal guidelines lag behind new research. Even when guidelines are updated, it takes time for all practitioners—especially those in smaller or rural practices—to become aware of and integrate them.

In some specialties, consensus around specific tests may still be murky or politically fraught. For example, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer has seen fluctuating recommendations over the years. While it may be appropriate for some men, it’s not universally advised—yet it’s still commonly offered.

Patients may assume that all doctors are practicing the most up-to-date evidence-based medicine, but that’s not always the case. And when financial incentives are involved, such as when doctors have ownership in labs or imaging centers, it further complicates the issue.

Common Tests That May Be Outdated or Overused

Here are a few medical tests frequently cited by experts as outdated or overused for certain populations:

Annual Chest X-rays for asymptomatic patients

Full-body scans in the absence of symptoms or risk factors

Routine EKGs for low-risk individuals with no cardiac symptoms

Bone density tests are too frequently performed or without a clear clinical indication

Pap smears in women over 65 with a history of normal results

PSA tests without a full discussion of risks and benefits

Blood tests for vitamin levels not linked to symptoms or deficiencies

These tests are not inherently useless, but they should be used judiciously, based on individual risk, age, and medical history.

The Financial Cost of Unnecessary Testing

Outdated or unnecessary testing comes at a price, not just to your insurance company, but to you directly. Medicare and private insurers often cover the cost of initial testing, but when follow-ups are needed (like additional scans, specialist consults, or biopsies), the out-of-pocket expenses can pile up quickly.

Worse still, a false positive or ambiguous result can trigger a cascade of testing that may end in surgery or other invasive procedures, all from a test that was never clinically needed in the first place.

For retirees on fixed incomes, this can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars spent on solving a medical mystery that didn’t need to be created.

How to Protect Yourself as a Patient

So what can you do? First, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor why a test is being ordered. Ask whether it’s recommended by current medical guidelines, and what would change based on the result. You’re not being difficult. You’re being responsible.

Second, get comfortable with second opinions. If something doesn’t sit right, especially with invasive or expensive testing, it’s perfectly appropriate to consult another provider.

Third, stay informed. Organizations like Choosing Wisely (an initiative from the ABIM Foundation) maintain up-to-date lists of tests and procedures that are often overused. Bring them to your appointments or discuss them with your provider.

Trust, But Also Verify

No one is suggesting that your doctor is out to harm you. Most medical professionals genuinely want what’s best for their patients. But outdated habits, legal fears, and patient expectations can all combine to perpetuate testing practices that aren’t backed by current science.

Being a wise patient in 2025 means more than just following orders. It means asking questions, understanding the why behind medical decisions, and taking part in your care. Outdated medical tests aren’t just a waste of time. They can cost you money, peace of mind, and even your health.

Have you or a loved one ever been advised to take a medical test that seemed unnecessary or confusing? What did you do?

Read More:

Why Seniors Are Refusing Prescriptions Their Doctors Still Push

6 Medical Devices Seniors Still Trust But Doctors Warn Against

Riley Jones

Riley Jones is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to pop culture, she’s written about everything under the sun. When she’s not writing, she’s spending her time outside, reading, or cuddling with her two corgis.



Source link

Tags: doctorsMedicaloutdatedRecommendtests
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

These 6 Budget Hacks Backfire on Seniors Every Time

Next Post

Human Reason as the Foundation of Civilization

Related Posts

edit post
Make Your Money Invisible

Make Your Money Invisible

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 22, 2025
0

f you find value in these articles, please share them with your inner circle and encourage them to Sign Up for...

edit post
7 Transactions That Trigger Penalties (And the Exemptions Families Forget)

7 Transactions That Trigger Penalties (And the Exemptions Families Forget)

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 22, 2025
0

Image Source: ShutterstockWhen seniors apply for long-term care through Medicaid, one of the most misunderstood rules is the “look-back period.”...

edit post
15 Best-Paying States for Women in Construction

15 Best-Paying States for Women in Construction

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 22, 2025
0

New Africa / Shutterstock.comThe U.S. construction industry experienced a surge in demand in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. The...

edit post
A wish list for Carney’s fall budget

A wish list for Carney’s fall budget

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 22, 2025
0

But things changed in the second quarter as Canada’s economy weakened. This has put the spotlight on the weakness of...

edit post
Financial infidelity hurts, but there are ways to get past it

Financial infidelity hurts, but there are ways to get past it

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 22, 2025
0

Spotting signs of financial infidelity Finding out your partner has been keeping financial secrets from you—whether it’s hiding debt, concealing...

edit post
How to bridge the gap until an inheritance

How to bridge the gap until an inheritance

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 22, 2025
0

CPP/OAS strategy without other pensions You can begin your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension as early as age 60...

Next Post
edit post
Human Reason as the Foundation of Civilization

Human Reason as the Foundation of Civilization

edit post
Energy Transition as a Tool for Fascist Capitalism

Energy Transition as a Tool for Fascist Capitalism

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
edit post
77-year-old popular furniture retailer closes store locations

77-year-old popular furniture retailer closes store locations

October 18, 2025
edit post
Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rejects Update to Child Custody Laws

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rejects Update to Child Custody Laws

October 7, 2025
edit post
What to Do When a Loved One Dies in North Carolina

What to Do When a Loved One Dies in North Carolina

October 8, 2025
edit post
Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What’s the Difference?

Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets: What’s the Difference?

October 17, 2025
edit post
California Attorney Pleads Guilty For Role In 2M Ponzi Scheme

California Attorney Pleads Guilty For Role In $912M Ponzi Scheme

October 15, 2025
edit post
Baby Boomers Are Flocking to This Florida Town — but Not for the Weather

Baby Boomers Are Flocking to This Florida Town — but Not for the Weather

October 9, 2025
edit post
2025 Spanish Regional Tax Competitiveness Index

2025 Spanish Regional Tax Competitiveness Index

0
edit post
Lodgerin launches Abroad – the software redefining global mobility

Lodgerin launches Abroad – the software redefining global mobility

0
edit post
Israel Aerospace unveils new armed drone

Israel Aerospace unveils new armed drone

0
edit post
Corn Faces Tuesday Losses

Corn Faces Tuesday Losses

0
edit post
We Have Not Properly Reckoned with the Economic Insanity of 2020

We Have Not Properly Reckoned with the Economic Insanity of 2020

0
edit post
Why .2B prediction markets’ major league sports backing is huge blow to legacy betting

Why $8.2B prediction markets’ major league sports backing is huge blow to legacy betting

0
edit post
Israel Aerospace unveils new armed drone

Israel Aerospace unveils new armed drone

October 23, 2025
edit post
Why .2B prediction markets’ major league sports backing is huge blow to legacy betting

Why $8.2B prediction markets’ major league sports backing is huge blow to legacy betting

October 23, 2025
edit post
Japan says it plans to tell Trump it will build up military, upgrade security strategy

Japan says it plans to tell Trump it will build up military, upgrade security strategy

October 23, 2025
edit post
2025 Spanish Regional Tax Competitiveness Index

2025 Spanish Regional Tax Competitiveness Index

October 23, 2025
edit post
High-end housing segment remains hot this Diwali even as overall sales cool off, says Samir Jasuja

High-end housing segment remains hot this Diwali even as overall sales cool off, says Samir Jasuja

October 22, 2025
edit post
Bitcoin’s Next Bull Phase Could Be Near As BTC-Stablecoin Ratio Plummets

Bitcoin’s Next Bull Phase Could Be Near As BTC-Stablecoin Ratio Plummets

October 22, 2025
The Adviser Magazine

The first and only national digital and print magazine that connects individuals, families, and businesses to Fee-Only financial advisers, accountants, attorneys and college guidance counselors.

CATEGORIES

  • 401k Plans
  • Business
  • College
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Economy
  • Estate Plans
  • Financial Planning
  • Investing
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Legal
  • Market Analysis
  • Markets
  • Medicare
  • Money
  • Personal Finance
  • Social Security
  • Startups
  • Stock Market
  • Trading

LATEST UPDATES

  • Israel Aerospace unveils new armed drone
  • Why $8.2B prediction markets’ major league sports backing is huge blow to legacy betting
  • Japan says it plans to tell Trump it will build up military, upgrade security strategy
  • Our Great Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use, Legal Notices & Disclosures
  • Contact us
  • About Us

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.