Iatrogenesis
Iatrogenesis is a common phenomenon in the modern medical industry. Iatrogenic reactions are symptoms, diseases, disorders or complications brought on directly, or indirectly, through medical treatment. There is an old folk saying that goes, If you want to stay healthy, stay away from doctors. In the case of iatrogenic conditions, this advice is a truthful warning which has a strong basis in fact, rather than folklore. What is Iatrogenesis?Iatrogenic Back Pain Information Iatrogenic conditions are health problems which occur due to various interactions with the medical treatment process. Iatrogenic conditions kill more patients every year than many diseases that warrant medical treatment to begin with. There are 2 basic forms of iatrogenic condition: direct medical error and indirect circumstantial effects. When both of these scenarios are added together, it is easy to see that the medical system, despite its great achievements, has truly done as much harm as it has good. Types of IatrogenesisThere are many factors which may be considered iatrogenic contributors to conditions of disease, illness, pain and injury:* Failed surgeries * Dangerous drug interactions * Diagnostic nocebo effect * Denial of psychogenic conditions * Treatment error * Unnecessary procedures * Neglectful invalid care * Unnecessary prescription of drugs * Psychological manipulation leading to lasting pain * Doctor insistence on mandatory Caesarian section * Drug testing using dangerous substances * Forced immunization leading to complications * Insufficient recognition of mental disorders * Infection due to medical negligence * Diagnostic error Medical Error StudiesA research study completed in 2003 estimated the number of American patient deaths, as a direct result of iatrogenic error, to be 7.8 million. This amounts to more casualties than America has suffered during all the wars it has ever fought, combined.Only 5% to 20% of all iatrogenic errors are discovered and reported. When you calculate the vast numbers of affected patients who never receive any help for their treatment-induced problems, it is clear that this medical malignancy is an epidemic condition. My Thoughts on IatrogenesisI am an avid supporter of the medical system. It is a marvel of man’s ingenuity and development. The overwhelming majority of healthcare workers are extremely conscientious, well trained and competent individuals. However, when you consider even a small percentage of healthcare practitioners to be negligent or even unethical, it still amounts to a huge actual number of bad doctors, nurses, chiropractors and therapists. Besides these obvious bad apples, it is always possible for a good doctor to make a mistake, since no one is immune to human error.Despite my support of the medical system, I recognize the vast problems experienced in the treatment of diseases and injuries. Iatrogenesis is a very real problem which kills millions and injures ten times that amount. I have personally seen the effects on the lives of so many patients who have lost everything due to some form of iatrogenic error. Is there a solution? For some aspects of the problem, there are certainly ways to make things better, but no single solution will ever truly make medical error a thing of the past. Just remember that medical negligence exists and may make finding a cure for your pain even harder than it already is. Iatrogenesis to Back Pain 6/11/07 Revised 2/2/12 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
Mission Statement
Editorial Board
Legal
Privacy Policy
Site Funding Disclosure
Source Material