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Fear of complaints driving unnecessary referrals and prescriptions, GPs warn
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA recent Pulse survey of 836 GPs revealed that 78 per cent admit to practising "defensive medicine" due to the threat of complaints, leading them to deviate from what they believe is truly best for their patients. This defensive approach manifests as GPs being more inclined to prescribe certain medications, make referrals, or dedicate excessive time to writing detailed patient notes, primarily to avoid potential backlash and "cover their own back." While intended to prevent complaints, this practice carries risks such as overdiagnosis, potentially causing unnecessary anxiety for patients, and contributing to an "almost untenable" working environment within the NHS. This issue coincides with a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report highlighting that GPs are failing to identify older patients at risk of falls and medication errors, with only 17 per cent of patients aged 65 or over assessed for frailty in 2024/25. The PAC report condemned the low rates of frailty assessments, medication reviews (16 per cent), and falls risk assessments (18 per cent) for severely frail patients, warning that this constitutes "not acceptable care" and increases the likelihood of costly hospital admissions. In fullWhat is ‘defensive medicine’? The method some GPs are using to avoid patient complaintsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
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independent.co.uk
‘Defensive medicine’: The method some GPs are using to avoid patient complaints
In a recent survey, 78 per cent of GPs agreed that the threat of complaints had led them to practise more defensive medicine than they feel is best for their patient
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dailymail.com
Threat of complaints has led GPs to practice 'defensive medicine'
Family doctors said they are more inclined to prescribe certain medicines, refer patients to specialists or spend longer writing notes to prevent a backlash.
