In a message dated 1/30/99 4:19:14 PM !!!First Boot!!!, [log in to unmask] writes: << Unfortunately, the way physicians are trained, there is little hope for improvement. In a residency programme you are rarely chewed out for tests you do do, even if they are unnecessary. The smart resident will say, I was trying to rule out.... But you get chewed out all the time for not doing tests. >> Dr. Jack Well, looking at the other end of this process....... "unfortunately, the way lawyers are trained, there is little hope for improvement. In law schools, you are rarely chewed out for prosecuting doctors for the tests they don't do, even if unnecessary. The smart lawyer will say, I was trying to successfully litigate (read as sue for malpractice)......But you get chewed out all the time for not prosecuting doctors for not doing tests (read as failure to diagnose)." You can't diagnose if you don't look, which includes tests, necessary and unnecessary. Doctors spend a lot of time, money, testing, etc. practicing defensive medicine because if you miss that 1-2% or whatever, you will probably hear about it. Sad but true. Help us help you by supporting tort reform and/or making HMO's legally accountable for their "medical decisions" (sic) and then we can practice medicine the way Dr. Jack wants us to. <g> IMHO Andrew MD [log in to unmask]