[s1artibartfast]

surely your mean related over treatment or intervention. I am not aware of any adverse health consequences from MRI itself. CT has clear downsides.

That said, there is a pretty big difference between screening and elective medicine.

[tptacek]

I don't think the term "elective medicine" means anything useful in this conversation. But, yes: I'm referring to unnecessary surgeries consequent to MRI; a big problem, especially for stuff like knees and spines.

[s1artibartfast]

eh, If I have elected to undergo a procedure, I would want the best and most imaging possible.

I dont see data as the problem, but the decision making around it. Preventing the generation of data may be a solution, but I dont care for it as a strategy.

[tptacek]

"Elective" medicine is simply medicine that can be scheduled in advance. The opposite of "elective" is "emergency". Plenty of elective procedures are not in any meaningful sense optional.

[s1artibartfast]

I feel we are quibbling about terminology instead of the central point. Feel free to substitute discretionary procedures if that is clearer, although nearly all medicine is discretionary (elective or emergency).

[tptacek]

Right, I was just clarifying that the term "elective" isn't going to be useful for the conversation we're having.

[s1artibartfast]

fair. I was thinking of elective procedures, but that is a poor juxtaposition with screening, which is also elective.