villumeðferð
Villumeðferð refers to medical treatment that is inappropriate, unnecessary, or harmful due to errors in diagnosis, decision-making, or execution. The term combines villa, meaning error, with meðferð, meaning treatment. In Icelandic medical discourse it is used to describe cases where a patient receives a therapy that lacks evidence of benefit, exceeds the standard of care, or is misapplied, potentially causing harm or offering no real advantage.
Causes of villumeðferð can be multifaceted. Diagnostic errors or misinterpretation of test results, inappropriate prescribing, incorrect
Consequences include patient harm, prolonged illness, unnecessary side effects, increased healthcare costs, and erosion of trust
Prevention focuses on adherence to evidence-based guidelines, second opinions for uncertain cases, informed consent, thorough documentation,
See also: medical error, patient safety, malpractice, evidence-based medicine, informed consent.