Editorial: Medical overuse and underuse in healthcare systems

Morteza Arab-Zozani, Loai Albarqouni

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorialResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving with advances in medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic tools (1). While these innovations have markedly improved patient outcomes and saved countless lives, they have also led to a concerning issue: medical overuse. Medical overuse refers to services that are more harmful than beneficial, do not enhance the quality and quantity of life, impose excessive costs on patients and the healthcare system, and are of low quality. If patients were fully informed, they would likely not request these services (2). This phenomenon, characterized by unnecessary or excessive medical interventions, poses significant risks to both individual patients and the broader healthcare system, in addition to imposing substantial costs (3). Addressing this growing concern requires education, policy reform, and systemic change.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1590328
Pages (from-to)1-3
Number of pages3
JournalFrontiers in Public Health
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Apr 2025

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Editorial: Medical overuse and underuse in healthcare systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this