A
The scenario you’re describing illustrates a classic example of “defensive medicine.” Here's a detailed breakdown:
GIST (Give It Some Thought / Key Point)
Situation:
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A clinician, even when the clinical assessment is not strongly indicative of pathology, requests a cranial CT “just to be safe”.
Motivation:
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Fear of malpractice / litigation
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Uncertainty due to imperfect clinical assessment
Key Concept:
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Defensive medicine: Ordering tests, procedures, or referrals primarily to avoid potential legal liability, rather than because it is medically necessary.
Implications:
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Patient Safety: Potential exposure to unnecessary radiation (CT scans deliver high doses)
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Healthcare Costs: Increases medical costs without clear benefit
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Clinical Practice: May reflect uncertainty or lack of confidence in diagnostic skills
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Ethical Dimension: Balancing “do no harm” vs. avoiding litigation
Example GIST phrase:
Clinician orders a cranial CT “just to be safe” despite low clinical suspicion → defensive medicine driven by fear of lawsuits and diagnostic uncertainty.
If you want, I can also summarize it into a single, memorable one-line definition for exams or quick recall. Do you want me to do that?
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