Iatrogenic Effects

The term iatrogenic is derived from the Greek word iatros (healer), and in its simplest form, it translates to a condition “brought forth by a healer.” Iatrogenic effects refer to the adverse consequences that result from any therapeutic intervention or advice. It is a broad term that encompasses the effect on physical, developmental, or psychological aspects caused by interventions during preventive health measures, diagnostic procedures, or treatments by health care providers including physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and psychologists.

The majority of iatrogenic insults can be attributed to negligence, medical error, nosocomial infections, or complications/adverse effects arising from drug usage. The concept of a physician-induced insult has long been recognized in most traditional medicine systems. The maxim of nonmaleficence (primum non nocere) is a fundamental clause that ...