Iatrogenic Illness

Abstract

The incidence of iatrogenic illness is alarming. Much of it is the result of the use or misuse of medications. This chapter illustrates this, beginning with cases of polypharmacy, after which a number of cases demonstrating adverse reactions to cardiac drugs, anti-hypertensives, anti-inflammatory drugs, the contraceptive pill, tranquillizers and steroids is presented. The chapter includes some of those tragic cases where the doctor’s words or actions have inflicted psychological wounds on the patient, leading to the development of cardiac neurosis.

The family physician has a wide range of therapeutic tools at his disposal. He needs to be aware of their risks as well as their benefits, and alert to the adverse recations which may occur. He needs too, to be aware of the effect of his own words and actions on the patient’s psyche. The problem of iatrogenic illness is probably much bigger than it seems at first sight.