Table 3 Specific most recent defensive act/s by surgeons
From: Practice of defensive medicine among surgeons in Ethiopia: cross-sectional study
Specific defensive practice | Often (%) | Rarely (%) | Never (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Ordering more tests than indicated | 15 (6.4%) | 108 (45.8%) | 113 (47.9%) |
Prescribed more medications than medically indicated | 20 (8.5%) | 94 (39.8%) | 122 (51.7%) |
Written in patient’s chart overzealously/excessively | 39 (16.5%) | 80 (33.9%) | 117 (49.6%) |
Referred a patient unnecessarily | 7 (3%) | 71 (30.1%) | 158 (66.9%) |
Admitted a patient unnecessarily | 2 (0.8%) | 102 (43.2%) | 132 (55.9%) |
Suggested invasive procedures (like biopsy) | 10 (4.2%) | 75 (31.8%) | 151 (64%) |
Avoided certain high-risk procedures | 26 (11%) | 116 (49.2%) | 94 (39.8%) |
Avoided caring for high-risk patient | 8 (3.4%) | 78 (33%) | 150 (63.6%) |