WASHINGTON — Each year, 12 million Americans see their doctors to complain of headaches. It’s costing an estimated $30 billion in health care and annual productivity loss.
Yet a new study — from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston — seems to indicate there is a lot of money being wasted on unnecessary imaging tests, drugs and referrals. The study of more than 9,000 physicians suggests some of that cost could be offset if doctors ordered fewer tests and offered more lifestyle counseling.
“These findings seem to reflect a larger trend in the U.S. healthcare system beyond just headache: over-hurried doctors seem to be spending less time connecting with their patients and more time ordering tests and treatments,” says Dr. John Mafi, the study’s lead author.
For headaches in particular, though, Mafi says you should avoid certain foods, reduce stress and get more sleep and exercise.
“To me, this study suggests that the current 20 minute visit-based model of healthcare is broken and that we need to move towards promoting and reimbursing innovative solutions,” Mafi concludes, “such as doctors and patients electronically collaborating on their healthcare outside the office visit.”
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