DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i02.008

Pages: 326-330

Defensive Medicine, can be defined as the practice of diagnostic or therapeutic measures conducted primarily not to ensure the health of the patient, but as a safeguard against possible malpractice liability. Aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of perception about defensive medicine practice for gynecologists as a very high risks group about malpractice liability. This study was designed as a cross-sectional observation. It was performed in Obstetrics and Gynecology Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, from May to October 2012. A questionnaire called “Defensive Medicine Practice Survey” which was made by researcher was applied. For data collection, face to face interview methods were used. 31 specialist physicians and 31 physician assistants, who were working in this hospital, were agreed to join the survey (n: 62). In agreement with the other recent studies, the results showed that most of the gynecologists practice defensive medicine. When the gynecologists‟ tendency level to practice defensive medicine was evaluated, score was found to be %24,2 and this score shows that they apply the defensive medicine at best level (n:15), the score %50 is good level (n:31) and score % 25,8 is medium level (n:16). Study shows that the defensive medical practices are being used commonly among the gynecologists.