By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: There are increasing complaints about some private doctors and clinics in Qatar carrying out allegedly unnecessary medical tests on their patients. This practice seems to have become widespread with a growing number of companies providing health insurance to their employees.
Many patients told this newspaper that they were shocked to see doctors prescribing elaborate tests even for common illnesses such as a sore throat or seasonal flu. Although the cost is covered by health insurance, such tests often scare patients and subject them to psychological pressure.
The doctors prescribe unwanted tests particularly when the patient has health insurance, knowing that he/she would not refuse. Most patients do not object, not only because they don’t have to pay the cost but also due to the fear that they could be suffering from a serious ailment.
Sharing one such experience, an employee of an oil and gas company told this daily, “Having health insurance is a grace but it can also be a curse because it is exploited by some doctors at private clinics. They are least bothered about the patients and only want to help their employers get more income.”
A woman doctor prescribed three tests, including a CT scan, for his wife for a minor gynaecological problem. He said the tests were prescribed without examining the patient. After getting the reports, the doctor prescribed a medicine, again without seeing the patient.
When a second opinion was sought, another doctor advised against taking the medicine, saying that there was nothing abnormal with the patient. The prescribed tablet was meant to regulate the menstrual cycle.
“We went back to the doctor we consulted first and asked her why that tablet was prescribed. She had no proper answer, but after a while she said that my wife had symptoms of some cancer. But two other gynaecology specialists said that the medical reports showed only minor problems.”
In another incident, reported by an Indian expatriate, a doctor in a popular polyclinic advised a patient to go for an X-ray for a throat infection. He said prescribing tests was a pastime for this doctor and he was known for that.
“While prescribing medicines, the doctor said casually, get an X-ray also. I couldn’t understand why an X-ray was needed for a simple throat infection and I didn’t go for it,” he said.
Another regular visitor to the same doctor said, “I have a cough and was asked for a Total Blood Count test and the result was negative. The bill for medicine and the tests came to around QR1,000. If I didn’t have health insurance I wouldn’t have spent such a big amount for a cough.”
He said some doctors at private clinics prescribe additional tests only after confirming that the patient has health insurance.
“They always tell us to do the test just to make sure that everything is fine. The doctor would see the report after many days, which means there is no sign of a serious illness,” he added.
A Lebanese expatriate working with an educational institution of repute said, “I was prescribed a blood test and urine analysis for fever. I had the feeling that the fever was due to weather change, but I didn’t want to refuse the test since it was prescribed by a doctor and there could be a reason.”
An Indian professional said that he was fed up with his doctor asking for too many tests.
“I consulted the doctor for dizziness, lethargy and some pain in the back. I have had four visits by now. During every visit the doctor prescribes a new test. One test was for the kidneys, another for thyroid. Surprisingly, the clinic staff lost one of my reports and I had to give blood again for the same investigation. Despite all this, the doctor has not diagnosed any illness until now and all reports are normal,” he said.
Two doctors The Peninsula spoke to denied such allegations. They maintained that laboratory, ultra sound and radiology tests are done to have a clear idea about the patients’ condition.
“We go through the medical history of a patient before prescribing any test. These investigations are done to get a correct view of the patient’s condition before prescribing any medicine,” said a physician. He said he didn’t want his name in print because people would think that he was trying to justify his clinic.
Some medical tests conducted at private clinics or hospitals require prior permission from the insurance provider. For example, an ultrasound scan or MRI may need approval, but most ordinary tests can be done without that.
Also an approval is required while prescribing medicines for chronic conditions for a long duration.
“A team of doctors at the insurance company will analyse the patient’s report and decide on approving the insurance claim. About 80 percent of the claims get approved. Misuse of health insurance is a practice worldwide, but it’s less prevalent in Qatar,” said an official of a private health insurance company.
A senior official of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) also said that complaints about unnecessary medical tests are a global phenomenon.
“It may be happening in Qatar as well but it is very difficult to prove such allegations. However, we will investigate if we get a genuine complaint about a particular doctor or facility,” he said.
He added that misuse of health insurance would stop with the implementation of the national health insurance scheme, Seha. The patient coding system adopted by Seha has a fool-proof mechanism to assess the cost of every treatment.
Seha currently covers all Qataris and is expected to be expanded to the expatriates by the end of next year.
The Peninsula
