How defensive medicine is defined in European medical literature: a systematic review.

Objectives: Defensive medicine has originally been defined as motivated by fear of malpractice litigation. However, the term is frequently used in Europe where most countries have a no-fault malpractice system. The objectives of this systematic review were to explore the definition of the term 'defensive medicine' in European original medical literature and to identify the motives stated therein.

How defensive medicine is defined and understood in European medical literature: protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: The term defensive medicine, referring to actions motivated primarily by litigious concerns, originates from the USA and has been used in medical research literature since the late 1960s. Differences in medical legal systems between the US and most European countries with no tort legislation raise the question whether the US definition of defensive medicine holds true in Europe.

Aim: To present the protocol of a systematic review investigating variations in definitions and understandings of the term 'defensive medicine' in European research articles.