radiation concerns

[Anonymous]

The risk of radiation is on a global population level. You are not going to get cancer if your doctor orders a cat scan to diagnose your appendicitis. Still, there's nothing wrong with asking your doc if there's an alternative to a cat scan to diagnose your condition. Sometimes there is, and sometimes there's not. But I wouldn't say that it's a matter of your doctor trying to take the "east route". S/he is taking advantage of the all the tools avaiable and doing the best for the patient.

[Anonymous]

Your doctor doesn't control radiation in imaging, that is the purview of the radiologist.

[Anonymous]

"So when a doctor says you need an exam, you are not really sure that you do, or that they have weighed your exposure risk against their desire to diagnose you in the way that is easiest for them. "

First, you need to be an informed patient and understand what is exactly invovled in a test. But, if you don't trust your doctor when they say you need a test, you need a new doctor. Most physicians are competent and caring, and take a cost/benefit analysis in every decision they make. This is part of their training. But yes, there's mothing wrong with making sure your doctor has considered all possibilites in testing.