iatrogenic
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Induced by a physician's words or therapy: Refers to an illness, condition, or complication that is caused by medical examination or treatment. This term is used especially for unintended negative outcomes resulting from a doctor's actions, words, or prescribed therapies.
Usage
The adjective "iatrogenic" is used to describe conditions that are inadvertently caused by medical intervention. It is a formal term commonly found in medical literature, reports, and discussions. - It typically modifies nouns like "disease," "illness," "condition," "injury," "complication," or "effect." - It is often used in a critical or analytical context to discuss the risks and unintended consequences of healthcare.
Examples
- The patient developed an iatrogenic infection following the surgical procedure.
- Some forms of depression can be iatrogenic, resulting from certain medications.
- The study focused on reducing iatrogenic harm in hospitalized elderly patients.
Advanced Usage
- Iatrogenesis (noun): The process of causing an iatrogenic disease or condition.
- The hospital implemented new protocols to minimize iatrogenesis.
- Iatrogenically (adverb): In a manner that causes an iatrogenic condition.
- The condition was iatrogenically induced by the drug interaction.
Variants and Related Words
- Nosocomial: (adjective) Often used similarly but specifically denotes an infection acquired in a hospital setting, which may or may not be iatrogenic.
- The patient contracted a nosocomial pneumonia.
- Iatrology: (noun) A rarely used term meaning the study of medicine or physicians.
Synonyms
- Physician-induced
- Treatment-induced
- Doctor-caused (informal)
Antonyms
- Idiopathic: (adjective) Denoting a disease of unknown cause.
- Spontaneous: (adjective) Arising naturally without external cause.
Notes
- The term carries a neutral to negative connotation, highlighting a potential downside of medical care. It does not imply malice or negligence by the physician but rather an unintended consequence.
- It is derived from Greek: (physician) + (producing, causing).
Adjective
- induced by a physician's words or therapy (used especially of a complication resulting from treatment)