Doctors practise defensively over fears of media criticism

DOCTORS wary of negative portrayal in the media are ordering unnecessary investigations and avoiding treating certain conditions.

A survey of 450 doctors by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) found 75% practise defensive medicine and may avoid performing complicated procedures in order to prevent complaints and claims. Some 74% — cited potential media criticism of the profession as a contributory factor to practising defensively.

The study found more than a quarter of respondents chose to stop treating certain conditions and performing certain procedures to prevent complaints and claims.