Defensive medicine practice among physicians in Egypt versus Saudi Arabia: causes and associated factors

Abstract Background Defensive medicine (DM) is an international dilemma affecting developed and developing countries. Most research studies were conducted in high-income countries. Thus, the current study aimed to compare the attitudes and practices of DM among different specialty physicians practic...

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Main Authors: Rana Adel, Mohammed Hassan Gaballah, Radwa Sehsah, Sara Ibrahim Sayed, Mostafa Mohammed Asem, Nada A. Yousri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-11-01
Series:Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00415-z
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author Rana Adel
Mohammed Hassan Gaballah
Radwa Sehsah
Sara Ibrahim Sayed
Mostafa Mohammed Asem
Nada A. Yousri
author_facet Rana Adel
Mohammed Hassan Gaballah
Radwa Sehsah
Sara Ibrahim Sayed
Mostafa Mohammed Asem
Nada A. Yousri
author_sort Rana Adel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Defensive medicine (DM) is an international dilemma affecting developed and developing countries. Most research studies were conducted in high-income countries. Thus, the current study aimed to compare the attitudes and practices of DM among different specialty physicians practicing in Egypt and Saudi Arabia (KSA). Associated factors and causes of DM practice were also examined. This survey study is based on a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of seven domains that targeted physicians with different specialties and workplaces in Egypt and KSA. Results A total of 829 physicians completed the questionnaire. Physicians practicing in Egypt (31.4%) exhibited significantly higher rates of DM practice than those in KSA (13.2%). Regarding types of DM practice, 47% and 40% of all studied physicians practiced positive and negative DM, respectively, with significantly higher rates in Egypt than in KSA. Factors that predict DM practice were different among both countries; however, legal concerns are the basic factors that are significantly associated with positive and negative DM practice in both countries. Fear of legal concern is the main reason physicians practicing in Egypt use DM practice while following clinical standards and ethics is the main cause reported by those practicing in KSA. Conclusion Defensive medicine practices are prevalent among physicians in Egypt and KSA, with some differences between both countries in associated factors. Addressing physicians' legal concerns, improving medical education, and implementing evidence-based practices may help reduce unnecessary DM.
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spelling doaj-art-5e231c5840ce4e3bb3d193b8521886e52024-11-24T12:41:30ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences2090-59392024-11-0114111310.1186/s41935-024-00415-zDefensive medicine practice among physicians in Egypt versus Saudi Arabia: causes and associated factorsRana Adel0Mohammed Hassan Gaballah1Radwa Sehsah2Sara Ibrahim Sayed3Mostafa Mohammed Asem4Nada A. Yousri5Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia UniversityJizan Forensic Medicine Center, Ministry of HealthIndustrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Public Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura UniversityDepartment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Minia UniversityForensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia UniversityForensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia UniversityAbstract Background Defensive medicine (DM) is an international dilemma affecting developed and developing countries. Most research studies were conducted in high-income countries. Thus, the current study aimed to compare the attitudes and practices of DM among different specialty physicians practicing in Egypt and Saudi Arabia (KSA). Associated factors and causes of DM practice were also examined. This survey study is based on a self-administered online questionnaire consisting of seven domains that targeted physicians with different specialties and workplaces in Egypt and KSA. Results A total of 829 physicians completed the questionnaire. Physicians practicing in Egypt (31.4%) exhibited significantly higher rates of DM practice than those in KSA (13.2%). Regarding types of DM practice, 47% and 40% of all studied physicians practiced positive and negative DM, respectively, with significantly higher rates in Egypt than in KSA. Factors that predict DM practice were different among both countries; however, legal concerns are the basic factors that are significantly associated with positive and negative DM practice in both countries. Fear of legal concern is the main reason physicians practicing in Egypt use DM practice while following clinical standards and ethics is the main cause reported by those practicing in KSA. Conclusion Defensive medicine practices are prevalent among physicians in Egypt and KSA, with some differences between both countries in associated factors. Addressing physicians' legal concerns, improving medical education, and implementing evidence-based practices may help reduce unnecessary DM.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00415-zDefensive medicineMalpracticeEgyptSaudi ArabiaPhysicians
spellingShingle Rana Adel
Mohammed Hassan Gaballah
Radwa Sehsah
Sara Ibrahim Sayed
Mostafa Mohammed Asem
Nada A. Yousri
Defensive medicine practice among physicians in Egypt versus Saudi Arabia: causes and associated factors
Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Defensive medicine
Malpractice
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Physicians
title Defensive medicine practice among physicians in Egypt versus Saudi Arabia: causes and associated factors
title_full Defensive medicine practice among physicians in Egypt versus Saudi Arabia: causes and associated factors
title_fullStr Defensive medicine practice among physicians in Egypt versus Saudi Arabia: causes and associated factors
title_full_unstemmed Defensive medicine practice among physicians in Egypt versus Saudi Arabia: causes and associated factors
title_short Defensive medicine practice among physicians in Egypt versus Saudi Arabia: causes and associated factors
title_sort defensive medicine practice among physicians in egypt versus saudi arabia causes and associated factors
topic Defensive medicine
Malpractice
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Physicians
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00415-z
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