Medicine has always been about making the best possible decision for the patient using clinical knowledge, experience, and judgment. However, many doctors today find themselves asking a different question before every important decision: " Will I be questioned later if something goes wrong ?" The increasing fear of litigation, social media trials, violence against healthcare professionals, and unrealistic expectations has quietly shifted the focus from purely evidence-based medicine to defensive medicine. Ordering additional investigations, documenting every conversation in detail, obtaining multiple consultations, and avoiding high-risk cases are becoming increasingly common—not always because they improve patient outcomes, but because they provide legal protection.
This shift carries a significant cost. Defensive medicine increases healthcare expenditure, delays treatment, and…