Defensive medicine 5007629 198346757 2008-03-15T04:05:38Z 74.69.82.49 '''Defensive Medicine''' is the practice of [[diagnostic]] or therapeutic measures conducted primarily not to ensure the health of the [[patient]], but as a safeguard against possible [[malpractice]] [[liability]]. Fear of [[litigation]] has been cited [http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/comment/0,7894,1450447,00.html] as the driving force behind defensive medicine. Defensive medicine is especially common in the United States of America, with rates as high as 79%[http://www.aaos.org/news/bulletin/janfeb07/clinical2.asp] to 93%[http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/293/21/2609], particularly in [[emergency medicine]], [[obstetrics]], and other high-risk specialties. Defensive medicine takes two main forms: assurance behavior and avoidance behavior. Assurance behavior involves the charging of additional, unnecessary services in order to a) reduce adverse outcomes, b) deter patients from filing [[medical malpractice]] claims, or c) provide documented evidence that the practitioner is practicing according to the [[standard of care]], so that if, in the future, legal action is initiated, liability can be pre-empted. Avoidance behavior is when providers refuse to participate in high risk procedures or circumstances[http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/293/21/2609]. ---- * http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/comment/0,7894,1450447,00.html [http://www.aaos.org/news/bulletin/janfeb07/clinical2.asp] [[Category:Medical malpractice]] [[Category:Healthcare law]] [[Category:Healthcare quality]] {{Medicine-stub}}