Iatrogeny: why patients come to harm

latrogeny remains a constant challenge to all members of the health team who must be made aware from the onset of their roles and responsibility to their patients with particular reference to patients' rights and well-being. Physicians, as the acknowledged leaders of the health team, have the greatest role in this respect; their training and involvement in supervising and monitoring members of their health teams must reflect an acknowledgement of this responsibility. The protection of the legacy associated with the medical profession for ethical behaviour and acting in the patient's best interest remains a challenge which must be addressed in the face of changing societal dynamics where rights and responsibilities are in a constant state of evolution. Medical schools must be at the forefront of responding to these challenges and reflect this by constant review of their training programmes.