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Revista Virtual de la Sociedad Paraguaya de Medicina Interna
On-line version ISSN 2312-3893
Abstract
FRANCO BRITOS, Marco Antonio et al. Defensive medicine in the Emergency Services of the Hospital Central of the Instituto de Prevision Social. Rev. virtual Soc. Parag. Med. Int. [online]. 2018, vol.5, n.1, pp.25-35. Epub Mar 01, 2018. ISSN 2312-3893. https://doi.org/10.18004/rvspmi/2312-3893/2018.05(01)25-035.
Objective:
To determine the degree of defensive medicine practiced in the Emergency Services of the Hospital Central of the Instituto de Previsión Social, Asunción-Paraguay.
Methods:
A validated Likert-type self-assessment questionnaire was administered to emergency care physicians. Variables related to sex, age, specialization, years of practice, previous legal background and work shifts were explored.
Results:
Two hundred and twenty physicians from eight Emergency Services were evaluated, 82% practiced defensive medicine. The male doctors showed a more defensive behavior (p=0.1). Emergentology, Traumatology and Orthopedics were the specialties with the highest practice of defensive medicine (100%). Gynecology and Obstetrics had the highest number of demands.
Conclusion:
Defensive medicine is presented in a high percentage in the Emergency Services because 82% of doctors practice some degree of it, being higher in males and in the specialties Emergentology, Traumatology and Orthopedics
Keywords : defensive medicine; malpractice; legal responsibility; emergency service in hospital.
