title: [Moderation--a virtue of necessity].
abstract: The virtue of moderation is not highly acclaimed in modern society; nor, indeed, in modern medicine. However, moderation is still called for, and not only in relation to the pursuit of pleasure; moderation is also needed in the pursuit of perfection. Over the last decades there has been a formidable growth in the dimensions and ambitions of the health services. Limited resources may bring this growth to a halt; there are, however, also other reasons for moderation. In preventive healthcare, outreach activities such as genetic testing may have considerable adverse effects. Interventionist approaches to the management of patients, be it in the use of antibiotics or the granting of social benefits, may have unfortunate consequences. The concept of sustainable health services calls for an adequate level of healthcare, not for the pursuit of perfection at any price. There is a right balance between ideals and what can actually be attained; finding it requires an understanding of the fallibility of medicine and of the limits to even the accomplishments of modern medicine.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nylenna
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D011314:Preventive Health Services