Iatrogisen

Iatrogisen (also called iatrogenesis or iatrogenic disease) refers to any harmful condition that results from medical examination, treatment, or health care interventions rather than from the underlying disease. It covers adverse effects of drugs, complications from procedures, and injuries caused by medical devices, among others. Not all iatrogenic harm arises from negligence; some are recognized risks of therapy and some are preventable or reducible.

The word derives from the Greek iatros, physician, and genesis, origin. The concept has roots in medical ethics and patient safety; in modern discourse, iatrogenesis was popularized by critics of contemporary medicine, including Iván Illich, who argued that medical systems can generate harm. In clinical practice, iatrogenic events range from minor to life-threatening and may result from prescription errors, procedure-related injuries, diagnostic missteps, or the use of medical devices.

Common categories include adverse drug reactions and drug interactions; procedural and surgical complications such as bleeding, infection, or nerve injury; hospital-acquired infections; device-related injuries from implants or monitoring equipment; diagnostic errors and overdiagnosis or overtreatment; and psychological or social harms such as stigma or loss of trust in care.

Prevention and management emphasize patient safety strategies: evidence-based prescribing and pharmacovigilance, antimicrobial stewardship, rigorous infection control, use of checklists and standardized protocols, careful monitoring of devices, transparent adverse-event reporting, and clear communication with patients about risks and alternatives. Understanding iatrogenesis supports efforts to minimize harm while maintaining effective medical care.