Iatrogene

Iatrogenesis, from the Greek iatros meaning physician and genesis meaning origin, refers to any adverse condition in a patient that is caused by medical treatment or investigation rather than by the patient’s underlying disease. The term is commonly used in medicine to describe harm resulting from the activities of healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, therapists, and other clinicians.

Iatrogenic harm can arise from drugs, procedures, diagnostics, or the hospital environment. Examples include adverse drug reactions and drug interactions, surgical complications, hospital-acquired infections, radiation injuries, contrast-induced nephropathy, and diagnostic errors or unnecessary tests. Iatrogenesis can occur in inpatient and outpatient settings and may affect individuals of any age, though certain groups may be at higher risk.

Many iatrogenic conditions are preventable through safer practices and system-level changes. Strategies include medication reconciliation, adherence to evidence-based protocols, surgical safety checklists, rigorous infection control, judicious use of imaging and laboratory tests, careful informed consent, and diligent patient monitoring. Cultivating a culture of safety and encouraging reporting of adverse events are also integral to prevention and learning.

The concept carries important epidemiological, ethical, and legal implications. Risk factors for iatrogenesis include advanced age, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, invasive procedures, and extended hospital stays. While some harm may be an unavoidable by-product of necessary treatment, ongoing efforts aim to minimize preventable iatrogenic events through better training, error analysis, and safer therapeutic approaches.