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Articles on needless treatments or procedures

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People with dementia often experience a range of psychological symptoms and behaviour changes. from shutterstock.com

Needless treatments: antipsychotic drugs are rarely effective in ‘calming’ dementia patients

Because of their sedative effect, antipsychotic medications are often used – in fact they are over-used – to “manage” people with dementia. This is against clinical guidelines.
Knee arthroscopy requires admission to hospital and an anaesthetic. It carries some risk of harm such as infection or further damage in the joint. from shutterstock.com

Needless procedures: knee arthroscopy is one of the most common but least effective surgeries

Doctors tend to overestimate how good their treatments are and underestimate the harms that come from them. But many studies have shown knee arthroscopy to no more effective than fake surgery.
Colonoscopies are on the rise in Australia. from shutterstock.com

Needless procedures: when is a colonoscopy necessary?

A colonoscopy is usually done to diagnose bowel cancer. It is an invasive procedure with risks such as bowel perforation. It’s important to only have the test if you’re likely to benefit.
Back pain affects one-quarter of Australians. from shutterstock.com

Needless treatments: spinal fusion surgery for lower back pain is costly and there’s little evidence it’ll work

Rates of spinal fusion surgery for back pain are on the rise. This is despite little evidence that it’s an effective procedure and studies showing many will have revision surgery within ten years.

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