defensive medicine
noun
: the practice of ordering medical tests, procedures, or consultations of doubtful clinical value in order to protect the prescribing physician from malpractice suits
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Initiate tort reform, to help alleviate the practice of defensive medicine. 
Carolyn Barber, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2020
Carolyn Barber, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2020 Word History
First Known Use
1969, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
defensive medicine
noun
: the practice of ordering medical tests, procedures, or consultations of doubtful clinical value in order to protect the prescribing physician from malpractice suits
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