Defensive medicine and outcomes for medical malpractice liability

Ig Sanita Pubbl. 2014 Mar-Apr;70(2):235-46.

Abstract

Defensive medicine is a significant force driving the high costs of healthcare systems and has a substantial influence on physicians' behavior because they primarily concern about malpractice liability and not patient's health protection. This attitude disagrees with deontological duties and could impair physicians' ability of judgment and clinical reasoning. Reducing defensive medicine also could mean improving the quality in healthcare systems and eliminating unnecessary costs.

MeSH terms

  • Defensive Medicine / economics*
  • Defensive Medicine / ethics
  • Defensive Medicine / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Delivery of Health Care / economics*
  • Delivery of Health Care / ethics
  • Delivery of Health Care / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Liability
  • Italy
  • Liability, Legal / economics
  • Malpractice / economics
  • Malpractice / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Quality of Health Care