Definition: Iatrogenic refers to any illness, condition, or complication that is caused by medical treatment or advice itself. It encompasses a wide range of health issues, from minor complications to severe, unintended side-effects or reactions to medications, surgical procedures, or other medical interventions.
Etymology and Origin: The term ‘iatrogenic’ originates from Greek. It combines ‘iatros’, meaning ‘physician’ or ‘healer’, and ‘genic’, derived from ‘genesis’, meaning ‘origin’ or ‘creation’. Thus, iatrogenic essentially translates to ‘originating from a physician’ or ’caused by medical treatment’. The term became more widely used in the 20th century as awareness of medical-induced complications grew.
