It’s time for patients and clinicians to have frank discussions about what diagnostic imaging scans can do for low back pain, and what they cannot, according to research published recently in BMJ Open.

This article explores the general or ‘full body’ health check that not only involves a comprehensive clinical assessment, but also includes performing a whole battery of laboratory, genetic and imaging tests in a person who does not feel ill and has not sought care.

This article explores the contention around the AgeX trial, the biggest randomised trial ever, which is considering how long should older women continue to be screened for breast cancer.

This article explores some of the reasons why tackling the complex problem of too much medicine remains a big priority in the COVID era.

This article explores some of the reasons why tackling the complex problem of too much medicine remains a big priority in the COVID era.

This article discusses the problems with the current regulatory environment and suggests changes to improve the safety and quality use of devices and surgery.

This article explores the use of audit and feedback to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment (e.g. over-prescription of opioids) as well as under-diagnosis and under-treatment.

This article introduces us to “Walter”, a fictitious character whose story is typical of many older patients, and explains how tackling overtreatment could improve his care.

This article explains that the findings are likely to shed new light on the causes of overdiagnosis in healthy people.

This article explores that patients, doctors and Health Ministers must understand the limitations of screening “if we are to avoid an epidemic of overdiagnosis”.