To the Editor: Elshaug and colleagues recently attempted to identify low-value health care practices.1 They further identified 13 services found by more than one of their search methods, implying that these services may be of particularly low value.
The full article is accessible to AMA
members and paid subscribers.
Login to MJA or subscribe now.
- 1. Elshaug AG, Watt AM, Mundy L, Willis CD. Over 150 potentially low-value health care practices: an Australian study. Med J Aust 2012; 197: 556-560. <MJA full text>
- 2. Sciubba DM, Petteys RJ, Dekutoski MB, et al. Diagnosis and management of metastatic spine disease. A review. J Neurosurg Spine 2010; 13: 94-108.
- 3. Metastatic spinal cord compression: diagnosis and management of patients at risk of or with metastatic spinal cord compression. Clinical guidelines CG75. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2008. http://www.nice.org.uk/CG75 (accessed May 2013).
- 4. Patchell RA, Tibbs PA, Regine WF, et al. Direct decompressive surgical resection in the treat-ment of spinal cord compression caused by metastatic cancer: a randomised trial. Lancet 2005; 366: 643-648.
Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.
No relevant disclosures.