Journal of health politics, policy and law
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J Health Polit Policy Law · Jan 1996
Case ReportsMeasuring defensive medicine using clinical scenario surveys.
For more than two decades, advocates of malpractice system reform have claimed that the most damaging and costly result of the U. S. medical malpractice system is the practice of defensive medicine, in which physicians order tests and procedures primarily because of fear of malpractice liability. In this article, we discuss the issues raised by different definitions of defensive medicine and propose a working definition to guide measurement of the concept. ⋯ In most cases, medical indications, not malpractice concerns, motivated clinical choices. Our results highlight the limitations of surveys as a method of measuring the extent of defensive medicine. The implications of managed care and health care reform for defensive medicine are also discussed.
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J Health Polit Policy Law · Jan 1996
Historical ArticleReform and reaction in Australian health policy.