Overtesting in Hospitals: Why More Medicine Isn’t Always Better. Are hospital stays turning into a never-ending battery of tests?
In Episode 32 of the A Return to Healing Podcast, Dr. Andy Lazris and Dr. Alan Roth examine a core problem in today’s hospitals: the “Flexnerian” obsession with overtesting and treatment. From medical students to attending physicians, the pressure to order “just one more test” is everywhere. But is all this testing actually helping patients—or just driving up costs and risks?
The Testing Frenzy: How Did We Get Here?
If you’ve ever been hospitalized, you know the drill: blood draws at dawn, scans, monitors, and repeat labs—all “just in case.” This culture started with good intentions. The dream at Johns Hopkins, led by Osler, was about careful observation and healing, not treating lab results instead of people.
But over time, the medical system shifted. The Flexner Report, meant to standardize and improve medical education, helped spark a new era of “test everything, treat everything.” Now, hospitals often chase every abnormal lab, even when it doesn’t improve outcomes.
What’s the Cost of Overtesting?
The true cost of this testing orgy isn’t just financial (though hospital bills are higher than ever). Overtesting can:
- Lead to unnecessary treatments or surgeries
- Cause anxiety and stress for patients and families
- Increase risk of complications, infections, or errors
- Distract doctors from what really matters—listening, observing, and caring
Are We Helping, or Just Doing More?
Dr. Lazris and Dr. Roth share stories of how overtesting can hurt more than it helps. Too often, a minor abnormality on a test leads to more tests, then procedures, then side effects. The cycle is hard to stop once it starts.
What gets lost? The human touch—Osler’s original vision of medicine as a healing art, not just a science experiment.
What Really Matters in Hospital Care?
The best care is often simple:
- Careful observation and talking with patients
- Judicious, thoughtful use of testing—when it actually changes care
- Less is sometimes more: don’t treat numbers, treat people
Your Health. Your Voice. Demand Better.
In our book, A Return to Healing, we challenge the status quo so you can make informed decisions for your health. A Return to Healing is available now–order your copy today!
Listen to the Full Episode
Ready for the unfiltered truth about hospital care?
Listen to Episode 32: “Overtesting in Hospitals” on Buzzsprout.
Want the full story? Watch the podcast episode on the A Return to Healing YouTube Channel below to hear Dr. Lazris and Dr. Roth break down the culture of overtesting and what needs to change in our hospitals.
TL;DR – Overtesting in Hospitals
- Too many hospital tests can do more harm than good.
- Overtesting leads to higher costs, stress, and risky treatments.
- Medicine’s roots (Osler’s dream) valued observation and patient care over chasing lab results.
- We need to focus on what really helps—not just what insurance will pay for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overtesting in Hospitals
- Why do hospitals run so many tests?
Hospitals are under pressure to check every box and catch every possible problem—even if it means unnecessary testing. This “just in case” mentality is built into training and hospital systems. - Can overtesting be harmful?
Yes. Too much testing can lead to more procedures, unnecessary treatments, stress, and even medical errors. - Does every abnormal test need to be treated?
No. Not all abnormal results mean there’s a real problem. Treating numbers instead of people can cause more harm than good. - How can patients advocate for less testing?
Ask your doctor: “Will this test change how you treat me?” Focus on what matters for your health, not just numbers on a chart. - What’s the alternative to constant testing?
Judicious, thoughtful care: talking with patients, careful observation, and only testing when it truly helps.
