Defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments

J 2025

Defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments

ADAMOVÁ, Zuzana a Hana ADAMOVÁ

Základní údaje

Originální název

Defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments

Název česky

Defensivní medicína v rámci českých chirurgických oddělení

Autoři

ADAMOVÁ, Zuzana a Hana ADAMOVÁ

Vydání

European Surgery-Acta Chirurgica Austriaca, Austria, Springer, 2025, 1682-8631

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Obor

50501 Law

Stát vydavatele

Rakousko

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

Open access článku

Impakt faktor

Impact factor: 0.800 v roce 2024

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Ano

Kód RIV

RIV/00216224:14220/25:00141257

Organizační jednotka

Právnická fakulta

Klíčová slova česky

defenzivní medicína; chirurgie

Klíčová slova anglicky

defensive medicine; surgery

Štítky

rivok

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam, Recenzováno

Změněno: 12. 3. 2026 15:26, Mgr. Petra Georgala

Anotace

V originále

Defensive medicine is a growing concern in modern healthcare, driven by physicians’ fear of litigation. It involves unnecessary tests and procedures and avoidance of high-risk treatments. These practices increase healthcare costs, limit patient access to necessary care, and negatively impact the physician–patient relationship. Additionally, defensive medicine contributes to physician stress and dissatisfaction, thereby potentially reducing the attractiveness of the medical profession. Methods: This survey explores the prevalence of defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments through a survey conducted among 31 surgeons in two county hospitals. Results: The results confirm that all respondents engage in some form of defensive medical practice. Notably, 17% of radiological examinations were performed for assurance rather than medical necessity. A hypothetical case study demonstrated that knowledge of a patient’s history of litigation significantly increased the likelihood of additional defensively motivated tests. Conclusion: Defensive medicine is a complex issue that requires cooperation between healthcare providers, legal professionals, policymakers, and medical organizations. We discuss different approaches to addressing defensive medicine. This includes the implementation of evidence-based clinical guidelines, improvements in physician–patient communication, and reforms in legal and regulatory frameworks. The main novel aspect of this article is that it brings attention to a widely overlooked issue in surgical literature and also proposes potential solutions.

Citovat

ADAMOVÁ, Zuzana a Hana ADAMOVÁ. Defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments. European Surgery-Acta Chirurgica Austriaca. Austria: Springer, 2025, roč. 57, č. 2, s. 158-162. ISSN 1682-8631. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-025-00873-2.

@article{2499913,
   author = {Adamová, Zuzana and Adamová, Hana},
   article_location = {Austria},
   article_number = {2},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-025-00873-2},
   keywords = {defensive medicine; surgery},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {1682-8631},
   journal = {European Surgery-Acta Chirurgica Austriaca},
   title = {Defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments},
   url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10353-025-00873-2},
   volume = {57},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2499913
AU  - Adamová, Zuzana - Adamová, Hana
PY  - 2025
TI  - Defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments
JF  - European Surgery-Acta Chirurgica Austriaca
VL  - 57
IS  - 2
SP  - 158-162
EP  - 158-162
PB  - Springer
SN  - 16828631
KW  - defensive medicine
KW  - surgery
UR  - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10353-025-00873-2
N2  - Defensive medicine is a growing concern in modern healthcare, driven by physicians’ fear of litigation. It involves unnecessary tests and procedures and avoidance of high-risk treatments. These practices increase healthcare costs, limit patient access to necessary care, and negatively impact the physician–patient relationship. Additionally, defensive medicine contributes to physician stress and dissatisfaction, thereby potentially reducing the attractiveness of the medical profession. Methods: This survey explores the prevalence of defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments through a survey conducted among 31 surgeons in two county hospitals. Results: The results confirm that all respondents engage in some form of defensive medical practice. Notably, 17% of radiological examinations were performed for assurance rather than medical necessity. A hypothetical case study demonstrated that knowledge of a patient’s history of litigation significantly increased the likelihood of additional defensively motivated tests. Conclusion: Defensive medicine is a complex issue that requires cooperation between healthcare providers, legal professionals, policymakers, and medical organizations. We discuss different approaches to addressing defensive medicine. This includes the implementation of evidence-based clinical guidelines, improvements in physician–patient communication, and reforms in legal and regulatory frameworks. The main novel aspect of this article is that it brings attention to a widely overlooked issue in surgical literature and also proposes potential solutions.
ER  -

ADAMOVÁ, Zuzana a Hana ADAMOVÁ. Defensive medicine in Czech surgical departments. \textit{European Surgery-Acta Chirurgica Austriaca}. Austria: Springer, 2025, roč.~57, č.~2, s.~158-162. ISSN~1682-8631. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-025-00873-2.

Přehled o publikaci