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Science 26 May 1978:
Vol. 200. no. 4344, pp. 879 - 882
DOI: 10.1126/science.644329
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Articles

Science, Vol 200, Issue 4344, 879-882
Copyright © 1978 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

The problem of defensive medicine

LR Tancredi and JA Barondess

Defensive medicine--the use of diagnostic and end-treatment measures explicitly for the purposes of averting malpractice suits--is frequently cited as one of the least desirable effects of the current rise in medical litigation. Many physicians and policy-makers claim that defensive medicine is responsible not only for the increasing costs of health care but the exposing of patients to significant risks of harm from unnecessary procedures. Very little solid information is available about defensive medicine. The studies that have been conducted have been fraught with statistical difficulties and are by no means definitive. Even more important than the issue of defensive medicine is the more basic problem of our system of compensation for medical injuries.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Defensive Medicine Among High-Risk Specialist Physicians in a Volatile Malpractice Environment.
D. M. Studdert, M. M. Mello, W. M. Sage, C. M. DesRoches, J. Peugh, K. Zapert, and T. A. Brennan (2005)
JAMA 293, 2609-2617
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Efforts to Improve Patient Safety in Large, Capitated Medical Groups: Description and Conceptual Model.
R. H. Miller and R. R. Bovbjerg (2002)
Journal of Health Politics Policy and Law 27, 401-440
   Abstract »    PDF »
Defensive Medicine and Tort Reform: New Evidence in an Old Bottle.
R. R. Bovbjerg, L. C. Dubay, G. M. Kenney, and S. A. Norton (1996)
Journal of Health Politics Policy and Law 21, 267-288
   Abstract »    PDF »
Positive and negative factors in defensive medicine: a questionnaire study of general practitioners.
N. Summerton (1995)
BMJ 310, 27-29
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Relationship Between Malpractice Claims and Cesarean Delivery.
A. R. Localio, A. G. Lawthers, J. M. Bengtson, L. E. Hebert, S. L. Weaver, T. A. Brennan, and J. R. Landis (1993)
JAMA 269, 366-373
   Abstract »    PDF »
Malpractice Claims Data as a Quality Improvement Tool: I. Epidemiology of Error in Four Specialties.
R. L. Kravitz, J. E. Rolph, and K. McGuigan (1991)
JAMA 266, 2087-2092
   Abstract »    PDF »
Practice Guidelines and Malpractice Litigation: Collision or Cohesion?.
T. A. Brennan (1991)
Journal of Health Politics Policy and Law 16, 67-85
   Abstract »    PDF »


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