Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Iatrogenesis

Literally ‘doctor-generated’, the term refers to sickness produced by medical activity. Widely recognized as a phenomenon, the debate is over its extent. The term was introduced into social science by Ivan Illich (Medical Nemesis, 1976), as part of his more general attack on industrial society and in particular its technological and bureaucratic institutions, for limiting freedom and justice and for corrupting and incapacitating individuals.
From here. I read Limits to Medicine, not Medical Nemesis (but if I had heard of that one I would of read it because it's a great title).

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