Letters
Preventing overdiagnosis
Over-inclusive referral guidance contributes to overdiagnosis
BMJ 2012; 344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e4295 (Published 25 June 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e4295- Kevin Barraclough, general practitioner1
- 1Hoyland House Surgery, Painswick GL6 6RD, UK
- k.barraclough{at}btinternet.com
Over-inclusive guidelines may also contribute to overdiagnosis.1 The threefold increase in the diagnosis of malignant melanoma since 1975 may be due to rising incidence, or it may be that guidance requires urgent referral on the basis of a clinical prediction rule with a 30-37% specificity.2 General practitioners following this National Institute for Health and …
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