Dr. House's prescription: More medicine is better

Kaiser Health News reports on the impact that television shows can have on the expectations of patients and, as a result, the costs of care to the health delivery system. "Media analysts say medical dramas like 'House,' as well as glowing news accounts of high-tech medicine, encourage patients to expect that the latest devices, drugs and other treatments will yield miraculous results.

The downside of tests and treatments, such as their high costs and possible side effects, get less air time" (Weaver, 9/1).

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/