Defensive medicine

Pakistan cannot afford defensive medicine.

the first two-thirds of the 20th century, the most common basis on which malpractice lawsuits were lodged against physicians were allegations that the physicians did something wrong. 1,2 About three decades ago, physicians began to be sued for failing to do something right. 3 This was when defensive medicine came into being as a response to malpractice litigations and now it has become an undec...

Complaints, shame and defensive medicine.

While the complaints process is intended to improve healthcare, some doctors appear to practise defensive medicine after receiving a complaint. This response occurs in countries that use a tort-based medicolegal system as well as in countries with less professional liability. Defensive medicine is based on avoiding malpractice liability rather than considering a risk-benefit analysis for both i...

Defensive Medicine and Medical Malpractice

Defensive Medicine: A Bane to Healthcare

The above oath is what every physician is bound to follow, but what happens in real practice is quite alarming. The so-called divine profession has lost its glory due to the intrusion of an evil namely ‘defensive medicine.’ Defensive medicine in simple words is departing from normal medical practice as a safeguard from litigation. It occurs when a medical practitioner performs treatment or proc...

Does Defensive Medicine Reduce Health Care Spending?

The medical community often argues that physician fear of legal liability increases health care spending. Theoretically, though, the effect could be positive or negative, and empirical evidence has supported both cases. Previous empirical work, however, has ignored the fact that physicians face risk from industry oversight groups like statelevel medical licensing boards in addition to civil lit...