Group of leading international doctors claim up to one-in-three medical procedures are unnecessary

A group of leading international doctors claim up to one-third of all medical procedures are being conducted unnecessarily.

A study, published in the medical journal Lancet, suggests that the use of medicine and health care worldwide is both overused and underused.

It’s believed to be putting some patients at risks, as well as wasting resources and stretching the system.

In Australia, it’s suggested that one-in-five knee replacements are unnecessary.

The report says some medical professionals are influenced by financial interests, due to fee for service, resulting in distorted referral rates.