When it comes to medical care, many patients and doctors believe “more is better.” But what they do not realize is that overtreatment—too many scans, too many blood tests, too many procedures—may bring harm. Sometimes a test leads you down a path to more and more testing, some of which may be invasive, or to treatment for things that should be left alone.
Terrence Power, for example, complained that after his wife learned she had Wegener's disease, an uncommon disorder of the immune system, they found it difficult to refuse testing recommended by her doctor. The doctor insisted on office visits every three weeks, even when she was feeling well. He frequently ordered blood tests and X-rays, and repeatedly referred her to specialists for even minor complaints. Even when tests came back negative, more were ordered, and she was hospitalized as prevention when she developed a cold. She had as many as 25 doctor visits during one six-month period. The couple was spending about $30,000 a year for her care.
After several years of physical suffering and near financial ruin from the medical costs, the couple began questioning the treatment after discussing with other patients in online support groups. “It's a really hard thing to determine when they've crossed the line,” Mr. Power said. “You think she's getting the best care in the world, but after a while you start to wonder: What is the purpose?” Mr. Power then spoke with his own primary care doctor, who advised him to find a new specialist to oversee Mrs. Power's care. Under the new doctor's care, the regular testing stopped and Mrs. Power's condition stabilized. Now she sees the doctor only four or five times a year.
24.What is the main idea of this passage?
A.Treatments do not always cause harmful side effects.
B.Patients tend to believe more testing is better treatment.
C.Too much medical care may not be beneficial to patients.
D.Doctors generally recommend office visits that are necessary.
25.Which of the following was a problem for Mrs. Power during her medical treatment?
A.She had to be hospitalized for three weeks whenever she had a cold.
B.When test results showed she was fine, her doctor still ordered more tests.
C.She did not have any insurance, so she became penniless because of her illness.
D.Her doctor asked her to consult other specialists due to her constant complaints.
26.Who does “they” in the third paragraph most likely refer to?
A.Doctors. B.Other patients.
C.Mr. and Mrs. Power. D.The online support groups.
27.What led to the Powers' doubt about Mrs. Power's treatment?
A.Mrs. Power's condition getting worse.
B.The results of her blood tests.
C.Knowing about other patients' treatment.
D.The advice from Mr. Power's doctor.
CBAC
A. Profits enlarging B. Technology developing C. Education investing D. Benefits transferring E. Dominance disappearing F. A nation rising |
The following is an imaginary diary entry written by US president. This diary is part of Global Trends 2025, which was written by the US National Intelligence Council
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The
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The
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Global wealth and economic power will shift from West to East.
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The transition from old fuels to new will be slow, as will the development of new technologies that present feasible alternatives to fossil fuels or help eliminate food and water problems. All current technologies are inadequate, and new ones will probably not be commercially possible by 2025