Acil Servise Başvuran Hastaların Aşırı Tanısal Değerlendirme Hakkındaki Farkındalığı

Abstract

Background/Aims: Overdiagnosis is defined as detecting a disease or abnormal condition that, if left undiagnosed, would not harm the individual. Our aim in the study is to increase the awareness of individuals about overdiagnosis in terms of social and demographic. Thus, we think that the number of unnecessary laboratory tests, computed tomography and other imaging tests in the emergency department can be reduced. Methods: For the study, a questionnaire including demographic data and 7 questions about overdiagnosis was prepared for the patients who applied to the emergency department. The questionnaire was filled by the emergency specialists and senior emergency assistants in charge of the patient in the form of questions and answers with the participants. Results: Our primary findings are: (1) There is a statistically significant relationship between patients' ideas about Overdiagnosis and variables such as gender, education level, place of residence, economic status, chronic diseases and the number of drugs used; (2) When we asked the patients if they would like to have a screening test for the diagnosis of a serious disease that does not cause complaints, 406 (76.5%) people stated that they wanted to have a screening test. However, after informing about overdiagnosis, this number decreased to 261 (49.2%) people. Conclusion: In our study, we demonstrated that patients did not want unnecessary diagnosis and treatment when informed about overdiagnosis and overtreatment before performing any screening test. Therefore, we think that if patients are adequately informed, overdiagnosis and overtreatment rates, which greatly burden the health system, can be reduced.