A 33-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office Due to Back

A 33-year-old man comes to the office due to back pain.  He has a 2-week history of moderate pain in the lumbar area that started after a long day of yard work.  There is no associated fever, motor weakness, or urinary symptoms.  The patient has no history of acute trauma and medical history is unremarkable.  Examination shows normal lower extremity strength, sensation, and reflexes.  Straight-leg raising test is negative.  The patient says, "My brother had similar pain last year and his MRI scan showed a bulging disc.  Can you order that test for me?"  The clinician offers options for symptomatic relief but recommends against performing any imaging studies.  Which of the following is the most likely effect of this recommendation?

A) Increased diagnostic uncertainty
B) Increased fragmentation of care
C) Increased health care disparity
D) Increased malpractice risk
E) Reduced clinical standardization
F) Reduced overutilization

Correct Answer:

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