ehta

Eurasian Journal of Health Technology Assessment

2587-0122

Sağlık Bakanlığı Sağlık Hizmetleri Genel Müdürlüğü

10.52148/ehta.1772439

Primary Health Care Patient Safety Health Care Administration Health Systems Health Management

Birinci Basamak Sağlık Hizmetleri Hasta Güvenliği Sağlık Kurumları Yönetimi Sağlık Sistemleri Sağlık Yönetimi

Evaluation of Defensive Medicine Behaviours in Various Medical Specialties and Titles: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0912-569X

Öz Nalbant

Gökçe

EDİRNE SULTAN 1.MURAT DEVLET HASTANESİ

12 31 2025

9 2 80 89 08 26 2025 11 24 2025

2016

Eurasian Journal of Health Technology Assessment

Objective: Defensive medicine is increasingly prevalent among physicians worldwide, including in Turkey. This study aims to explore physicians’ views and tendencies regarding defensive medicine, define the concept and practices in light of the literature, and examine the reasons and consequences of such practices.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 390 physicians working in Edirne province and its districts, using the Defensive Medicine Practices Attitude Scale.Results: The most common positive defensive medicine practices reported were placing greater emphasis on informed consent forms, keeping more detailed patient records, and providing patients with more thorough explanations of medical procedures. The most common negative defensive practice was avoiding patients perceived as having a high likelihood of initiating legal action. Overall, 85% of the participants stated they were familiar with the concept of defensive medicine. Physicians with lower professional seniority, particularly those working in state or university hospitals, demonstrated a stronger tendency toward defensive practices.Conclusion: This study, in line with previous research, shows that defensive medicine practices are widely adopted among physicians. To reduce these tendencies, it is essential to establish a healthcare system and legal framework that enable physicians to practice in accordance with ethical principles. Addressing the underlying factors driving defensive behaviors and implementing necessary improvements by healthcare authorities are crucial.

Attitude defensive medicine physicians

During this study, no financial or material support was received from any pharmaceutical company directly related to the research topic, nor from any company providing or producing medical instruments or materials that could potentially influence the evaluation process of this study.

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