The Medicalization of Childhood?

[DrPhil]

Across contexts, misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis seems to have been more of a problem than underdiagnosis in the past 10 years.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...sis-rules.html

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Across contexts, misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis seems to have been more of a problem than underdiagnosis in the past 10 years.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...sis-rules.html

I wonder to what extent this coincides with both malpractice pressures (in my experience, a misdiagnosis via the wrong assigned malady is much less problematic for juries than a non-diagnosis, or inaction), and the changing view of doctor as solution, rather than as an aid in management/prevention.

In short, are doctors themselves thinking they 'should' be diagnosing more, leading to overdiagnosis?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I wonder to what extent this coincides with both malpractice pressures (in my experience, a misdiagnosis via the wrong assigned malady is much less problematic for juries than a non-diagnosis, or inaction), and the changing view of doctor as solution, rather than as an aid in management/prevention.

In short, are doctors themselves thinking they 'should' be diagnosing more, leading to overdiagnosis?

Excellent question.

I know that it is difficult to come across children (and people) who do not have some diagnosis or some prescription for something.

I think that is doctors overdiagnosing combined with the booming prescription drug industry and combined with parents thinking that their child has every illness under the sun.