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Measuring defensive medicine using clinical scenario surveys
D Klingman1, A R Localio, J Sugarman
1Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, USA.
Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Defensive medicine, where doctors order extra tests due to fear of lawsuits, exists but is less common than believed. Medical reasons, not malpractice fears, usually drive physician choices in patient care.
Area of Science:
- Health Policy
- Medical Law
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Defensive medicine is a claimed costly outcome of the U.S. medical malpractice system.
- Physicians may order tests and procedures due to fear of malpractice liability.