The effect of physicians' occupational risk cognition on defensive medical behavior in China / 中国卫生政策研究

ABSTRACT

Objective:The aim of this paper is to explore the influence of physician's occupational risk cogni-tion on defensive medical behavior. Methods:Semi-structured interview was applied for data collection from in-serv-ice doctors. A grounded theory was used to analyze and develop the relationship between physicians'occupational risk cognition and defensive medical behavior. Results:This study shows that the cognition of various occupational risks may lead to a series of psychological effects on doctors,such as mental stress,anxiety and depression,professional i-dentity decrease,fear of adventure and innovation,job enthusiasm decrease and probability of malpractice increase. Adverse defensive medical behaviors, such as ordering more tests, treatments and consultations, selective treatment of patients,shirking responsibility through informed consent, and favorable defensive medical behaviors, such as to improve service attitude,being more cautious during work and to improve professional skills,should be in response to occupational risks. Conclusions:Physicians'occupational risk cognition is the primary motivation of defensive medical behavior,and the relationship between physicians'occupational risk cognition and defensive medical behavior may al-so be mutually causal and effect.