iatrogenic

American  

[ahy-a-truh-jen-ik, ee-a-] / aɪˌæ trəˈdʒɛn ɪk, iˌæ- /

adjective

1. (of a medical disorder) caused by the diagnosis, manner, or treatment of a physician.

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iatrogenic British  

/ aɪˌætrəʊdʒɪˈnɪsɪtɪ, aɪˌætrəʊˈdʒɛnɪk /

adjective

1. med (of an illness or symptoms) induced in a patient as the result of a physician's words or actions, esp as a consequence of taking a drug prescribed by the physician

2. social welfare (of a problem) induced by the means of treating a problem but ascribed to the continuing natural development of the problem being treated

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Usage

What does iatrogenic mean? Iatrogenic is an adjective used to describe a medical disorder, illness, or injury caused in the process of medical treatment.Iatrogenic conditions are typically caused inadvertently, such as through an incorrect diagnosis or the prescription of medicine that ends up doing harm.Less commonly, iatrogenic is used in the context of social welfare to describe a problem that has been caused by the actions intended to address another problem.Example: Iatrogenic conditions are the basis of most medical malpractice lawsuits.

Other Word Forms

• iatrogenicity noun

Etymology

Origin of iatrogenic

First recorded in 1920–25; iatro- + -genic