The four duties of family doctors. Quaternary prevention: First, do no harm

Cl inical prevent ion has been organised in a
chronological manner since the middle of the 20th century. A paradigm shift from a chronological to a relationship-based preventive pattern of care offers new insight into the practice of doctors, and brings to light the concept of quaternary prevention, a critical look at medical activities with an emphasis on the need not to harm. Quaternary prevention addresses the fundamental question of what constitutes too much or too little medicine. It is the fourth form of disease prevention, but also the fourth frame of action for family doctors. New definitions of prevention published in the Wonca Dictionary of Family Medicine offer a structured way to discuss the activities of family doctors, including ethical considerations on the patient-doctor encounter.
摘要