iatrogener

Iatrogenic refers to any adverse condition in a patient that is caused by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures, rather than by the underlying disease. The term derives from Greek iatros, physician, and -genic, meaning produced by. In English, the standard form is iatrogenic, while some languages use a variant such as iatrogener.

Iatrogenic effects may range from mild to life-threatening and can result from drugs, procedures, hospital care, or misdiagnosis. Common categories include adverse drug reactions, medication errors, surgical complications, infections acquired in healthcare settings (nosocomial infections), and injuries from diagnostic tests or therapeutic interventions.

Measurement and impact: Iatrogenic harm contributes to patient morbidity and, in some settings, mortality. Estimates vary by setting and definition but are widely recognized as a major aspect of patient safety and healthcare quality.

Prevention and management: Reducing iatrogenesis focuses on prudent prescribing, thorough medication reconciliation, adherence to clinical guidelines, double-check systems to prevent errors, infection prevention, imaging and procedure safety protocols, and open reporting and learning from adverse events. Informed consent and shared decision-making help align treatments with patient values and risk tolerance.

Note: The form iatrogener is not common in English medical usage; iatrogenic (and related noun iatrogenesis) are the standard terms. However, the concept and concerns it denotes are relevant across languages and healthcare systems. See also adverse drug reactions, hospital-acquired infection, medical error, and patient safety.