H. Gilbert Welch

American physician and academic

H. Gilbert Welch at Spotlight Health Aspen Ideas Festival 2015

H. Gilbert Welch is an American physician and academic known for his work in the field of overdiagnosis and medical screening. He has been a prominent voice in the discussion about the benefits and harms of early detection of diseases, particularly cancer. Welch has contributed significantly to the understanding of how screening tests can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment, impacting patient care and healthcare systems.

Early Life and Education

H. Gilbert Welch was born in the United States. He pursued his undergraduate education at Harvard University, where he developed an interest in medicine and public health. He later attended medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where he earned his MD degree. Welch completed his residency in internal medicine and furthered his education with a MPH from the University of Washington.

Career

Welch began his career as a practicing physician, but his interest in the broader implications of medical practices led him to academia. He joined the faculty at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, where he focused on research related to medical screening and overdiagnosis. Welch has published extensively on these topics, contributing to both academic journals and popular media.

Research on Overdiagnosis

Welch's research has highlighted the potential downsides of widespread medical screening. He argues that while screening can detect diseases early, it can also identify conditions that may never cause symptoms or harm, leading to unnecessary treatments. His work has been influential in shaping guidelines and policies around cancer screening, particularly for breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Publications

Welch is the author of several books aimed at both medical professionals and the general public. His notable works include "Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health" and "Less Medicine, More Health: 7 Assumptions That Drive Too Much Medical Care." These books explore the complexities of medical decision-making and advocate for a more measured approach to healthcare.

Impact and Recognition

Welch's contributions to the field of medicine have been recognized by his peers and the broader medical community. He has been invited to speak at numerous conferences and has served on panels discussing healthcare policy and ethics. His work has sparked important conversations about the balance between early detection and the risks of overdiagnosis.

Related Pages

• Overdiagnosis
• Medical screening
• Cancer screening
• Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice