The determinants of defensive medicine in Italian hospitals: The impact of being a second victim

Deaths, errors and second victims in surgery: an underestimated problem

“…‘Defensive medicine’ (deviation from medical practice induced by threat of liability claims) has become popular. It exposes patients to the risk of receiving unnecessary examinations or of being excluded from treatments; and increases the costs of care.…”

“…Interconnected with medical errors and defensive medicine, is the concept of the ‘second victim’, a healthcare worker involved in an adverse event, error and/or injury, who is traumatized by the event. Being a second victim is the strongest predictor of practising defensive medicine. The pathway of recovery for second victims might differ from that occurring after traumas, with most feeling that the support received is inadequate.…”

Medical error and related factors during internship and residency

“…These reactions are called the "second victim" phenomenon. A second victim is a healthcare provider who suffers from psychological complications after being involved in a medical error (9).…”

Defensive Medicine: meaning vs measurement

“…La MD es un fenómeno global presente en el sistema sanitario de países desarrollados como EE.UU. (90%) o Italia (60%) 4 que alienta el sobreuso de servicios médicos 5 y que compromete su viabilidad y afecta a los pacientes vulnerables de los países con recursos escasos 6 . Lejos de presentar una debilidad, la ausencia de trabajos empíricos en España deviene fortaleza, y permite no incurrir en los errores previos de investigadores y responsables sanitarios.…”