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Defensive medicine among obstetricians and gynecologists in tertiary hospitals
Elad Asher1, Shay Dvir, Daniel S Seidman
1Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel. El.asher@gmail.com
Objective:
To describe the daily work practice under the threat of defensive medicine among obstetricians and gynecologists.
Study Design:
A prospective cross-sectional survey of obstetricians and gynecologists working at tertiary medical centers in Israel.
Results:
Among the 117 obstetricians and gynecologists who participated in the survey, representing 10% of the obstetricians and gynecologists registered by the Israel Medical Association, 113 (97%) felt that their daily work practice is influenced by concern about being sued for medical negligence and not only by genuine medical considerations. As a result, 102 (87%) physicians are more likely to offer the cesarean section option, even in the absence of a clear medical indication, 70 (60%) follow court rulings concerning medical practices, and 85 (73%) physicians mentioned that discussions about medical negligence court rulings are included in their departments' meetings.
Conclusions:
Defensive medicine is a well-embedded phenomenon affecting the medical decision process of obstetricians and gynecologists.
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