Recent years have been characterised by an increased awareness in the fact that a
high number of overused diagnostic imaging, medications and procedures provide no
benefit to patients and may even cause harm. Moreover, many studies have addressed
the problem of the correct approach and implementation of the concepts of appropriateness
and inappropriateness in daily medical practice. All health workers, as well as patients
and the public, should know the consequences of inappropriate use of tests, procedures
and treatments, such as damage due to radiation exposure, adverse drug reactions and
complications due to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Inappropriateness may also
have relevant economic consequences, particularly important in a historical period
characterised by increased growth in health costs and by the problem of the sustainability
of our health systems.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 19, 2019
Accepted:
March 27,
2019
Received in revised form:
March 26,
2019
Received:
January 26,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
