A »Defensive medicine occurs when doctors order extra tests or treatments to protect themselves from potential lawsuits, rather than to benefit the patient. This practice can lead to unnecessary procedures, increasing healthcare costs and sometimes exposing patients to unneeded risks. While it's intended to prevent legal issues, it often strains healthcare resources and highlights the need for reform in medical liability systems to balance patient care and legal protection.

A »Defensive medicine refers to medical practices driven by the fear of malpractice lawsuits, leading to unnecessary tests and procedures. This increases healthcare costs, as providers order extra diagnostic tests to protect themselves legally, rather than based on medical necessity, ultimately driving up expenses for patients and the healthcare system.