Table 2.
Defensive medicine: comparison between residents and certified psychiatrists
| Certified | Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M (SD) | M (SD) | t | df | p Value | |
| Acknowledgement of defensive practice | 2.62 (0.93) | 2.90 (0.73) | 2.11 | 196 | 0.038 |
| Defensive behaviours | |||||
| Suicidal patients | |||||
| Advises unwarranted hospitalisation | 2.82 (1.09) | 3.34 (1.28) | 2.46 | 199 | 0.017 |
| Increases follow-up | 3.51 (1.10) | 3.75 (1.04) | 1.30 | 199 | 0.195 |
| Initiates contact with family | 4.05 (0.83) | 3.96 (0.87) | −0.51 | 178 | 0.611 |
| Consults senior psychiatrist | 2.84 (1.14) | 4.62 (0.75) | 10.16 | 171 | <0.001 |
| Refers to another professional | 3.03 (1.03) | 3.35 (1.06) | 1.47 | 180 | 0.144 |
| Prescribes medication without indication | 1.71 (0.72) | 2.00 (0.89) | 1.83 | 180 | 0.069 |
| Changing or initiating new medication | |||||
| Informs about severe yet rare side effects | 3.45 (1.29) | 3.30 (1.27) | −0.69 | 208 | 0.490 |
| Records that explained about side effects | 3.49 (1.25) | 3.27 (1.28) | −1.02 | 207 | 0.308 |
| Informs of increased risk of suicidality | 2.74 (1.44) | 2.52 (1.37) | −0.88 | 205 | 0.380 |
| Pregnant patients | |||||
| Avoids medication altogether | 2.56 (1.04) | 3.09 (1.08) | 2.25 | 186 | 0.025 |
| Prescribes a smaller dosage | 2.44 (1.21) | 2.46 (1.25) | 0.062 | 191 | 0.950 |
| Elderly patients | |||||
| Informs of cerebrovascular diseases risk | 3.00 (1.30) | 2.37 (1.38) | −2.65 | 191 | 0.009 |
| Prescribes a smaller dosage | 3.95 (0.93) | 3.95 (0.66) | −0.02 | 195 | 0.986 |