Prior Restraint: A Bayesian Perspective on the Optimization of Technology Utilization for Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, healthcare spending totalled $942.5 billion in 1993, and rose another $118 billion in 1994.1 Most physicians think that unnecessary utilization of medical technology is a major contributor to this spending spiral,2 and similar views are voiced both by the general public and by their elected officials3 One Commerce Department economist estimates that unnecessary tests and procedures consumed $130 billion last year alone.1