Which scenario is least likely to increase the MDM level?

Which scenario is least likely to increase the MDM level?

• A. Reviewing external notes
• B. Ordering unique tests
• C. Discussing test results with the performing physician
• D. Personal testing of the patient with no external data review

Answer: (D)

In medical decision making, the level rises with how much data you must review and how complex that data is, along with the risk involved in the management. Reviewing notes from outside sources forces you to integrate more information, which elevates the data review burden and bumps the MDM level. Ordering tests adds new data to obtain and later review, increasing the amount of data you must consider. Discussing test results with the physician who performed the tests improves interpretation and coordination, again adding to the data interpretation and decision-making complexity. People often look for the activity that least elevates MDM, and personal testing done by you with no external data to review fits that. It generates data from your own examination, but there isn’t additional external information to interpret or weigh, so the overall data load and complexity stay relatively small. This makes it the least likely to push the MDM level higher compared with the others.

In medical decision making, the level rises with how much data you must review and how complex that data is, along with the risk involved in the management. Reviewing notes from outside sources forces you to integrate more information, which elevates the data review burden and bumps the MDM level. Ordering tests adds new data to obtain and later review, increasing the amount of data you must consider. Discussing test results with the physician who performed the tests improves interpretation and coordination, again adding to the data interpretation and decision-making complexity.

People often look for the activity that least elevates MDM, and personal testing done by you with no external data to review fits that. It generates data from your own examination, but there isn’t additional external information to interpret or weigh, so the overall data load and complexity stay relatively small. This makes it the least likely to push the MDM level higher compared with the others.