Search Resources (English): Overdiagnosis

An electronic review journal that takes the best available evidence on sexual and reproductive health from Cochrane systematic reviews and presents it as practical actions for clinicians (and policy-makers) to improve health outcomes, especially in developing countries.

A ten-part online series that outlines the growing problem of overdiagnosis and overuse of medical screening tests.

The website of a group of doctors in Britain concerned about the safety and the ethics of private screening tests, and about companies who advertise those tests. Includes resources to help people decide whether or not to take a screening test.

A factsheet about when it is useful to have a bone density test and when it is not appropriate – and possibly harmful – to have these tests done.

Reviews and analyzes disease awareness campaigns sponsored by pharmaceutical companies that use self-diagnostic tools. Uses the example of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) to discuss how the marketing of self-diagnosis can change the patient into a consumer to achieve the aims of drug companies. (Abstract only)

A series of articles by the author of Seeking Sickness and co-author of Selling Sickness, examining the issues of unnecessary medical screening. Argues that pharmaceutical companies are driving the increased push for screening. 

Argues for more efforts to educate screening candidates about the harms and benefits of cancer screening in general, and to engage in shared (doctor and patient) decision making about taking the tests. (Abstract only.)

A primer for medical students looking at the pros and cons of screening, examining the ethical issues of overscreening and who profits from promoting the tests. From AFMC's Primer on Population Health.