Understanding the Effects of Iatrogenic Management on Population Health: A Medical Innovation Perspective.

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce an iatrogenesis intervention framework guided by medical innovation, which encompasses the objectives, influences of medical innovation on iatrogenesis, factors affecting various types of iatrogenesis, and strategies for controlling iatrogenesis. Advancements in medical innovation across various domains can bridge the patient safety implementation gap by uncovering, characterizing, refining, accelerating, scaling, extending, and mobilizing the external and internal conditions and factors that influence the control and elimination of iatrogenesis. Iatrogenesis, or the adverse effects and risks associated with medical interventions, poses a significant challenge in global public health as it ranks as the fifth leading cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of death in numerous countries (1–2). Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, 2.6 million deaths occurred annually due to safety lapses in hospitals in low-income countries, while nearly 15% of hospital expenditure and activity in developed nations were attributed to addressing treatment safety failures (3).