Unfortunately, in some learning environments, a hierarchy exists between supervisors and students that makes it difficult for students to feel comfortable speaking up. As a result, students might observe unnecessary care, but avoid saying anything for fear of potential consequences. Supervisors need to encourage students to feel free to question whether tests or treatments are truly necessary without fear of repercussion. The clinical training environment should be one where students feel safe to ask questions.
Sources:
Moser EM, et al. SOAP-V: Introducing a method to empower medical students to be change agents in bending the cost curve. J Hosp Med. 2015 Sep 28. PMID: 26416013.