Physicians' attitudes towards unnecessary tests and procedures in the Iranian healthcare system: a cross-sectional study in Tabriz

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Providing unnecessary services in health systems is common, costly and even harmful, and preventing such services and providing essential services can have a major impact on reducing costs and improving the quality of services. Understanding the attitudes of physicians about unnecessary services can undoubtedly help design appropriate programs to prevent waste of resources. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of physicians working in the health sector toward the use of unnecessary tests and procedures in Tabriz city. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. The study population was all physicians working in the health sector who were serving the service. Sampling was done by random sampling. Data collection was performed at a 6-month time interval. The collected data were entered into SPSS software version 22 and the frequency or mean of each dimension of the questionnaire was reported. Findings: The majority of physicians identified unnecessary services as a serious problem in the Iranian healthcare system. Attention to patient safety is expressed as the most important reason for not administering an unnecessary service. Nevertheless, the majority of the study population has stated that if the patients insist on prescribing an unnecessary service, they will provide that service with advice prescribed. Most doctors believe that spending more time with patients and talking about alternative tests or procedures is effective in reducing unnecessary services. Conclusion: The unnecessary use of tests and procedures is serious problem in the Iranian healthcare system which, in addition to harming patients, imposes huge costs on both patients and the stat. Therefore, knowing the reasons for such services from physicians' poin of view and increasing the awareness of people can provide ways of prevention and improvement in this field.