Iatrogenic Effects: Harm Resulting from Medical Treatment

Iatrogenic (from Greek iatros = physician, genesis = origin) describes any adverse condition or effect caused by medical intervention rather than the underlying disease.

Common Sources

• Medication side effects or errors.
• Surgical complications.
• Hospital-acquired infections.
• Diagnostic procedure complications.

Severity and Settings

Iatrogenic harm ranges from minor (e.g., drug rash) to life-threatening (e.g., anesthesia complication). It can occur in hospitals, clinics, or outpatient settings.

Prevention

• Evidence-based protocols and checklists.
• Open communication and error-reporting culture.
• Continuous quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Acknowledging and minimizing iatrogenic risk is a core responsibility of healthcare systems.