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defensive medicine

noun
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Definition of defensive medicine

: the practice of ordering medical tests, procedures, or consultations of doubtful clinical value in order to protect the prescribing physician from malpractice suits

First Known Use of defensive medicine

1969, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of defensive medicine was in 1969

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Cite this Entry

“Defensive medicine.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defensive%20medicine. Accessed 10 December 2019.

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More Definitions for defensive medicine

defensive medicine

noun

Medical Definition of defensive medicine

: the practice of ordering medical tests, procedures, or consultations of doubtful clinical value in order to protect the prescribing physician from malpractice suits

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