For some, it's simply not enough to disagree or refute findings or information, but there seems a need to make generalizations and attempt to discredit an entire group or profession based on anecdotal information. This page takes its information from a JAMA article by Dr. Barbara Starfield entitled "Is US Health Really the Best in the World?". For some reason, the direct link to the actual article by Starfield is not provided - it can be read here .

In the traditional sense, lay people equate iatrogenic with "CAUSED BY" physician but there are iatrogenic events that, of course, have (1) nothing to do with physicians; and (2) are not due to an error. In the article, the author states: "For example, US estimates of the combined effect of errors and adverse effects that occur because of iatrogenic damage not associated with recognizable error include...".

There are adverse outcomes with no recognizable error - all lumped into the category of iatrogenic. It's hardly fair to assign all iatrogenic problems to doctors. This is why the phrase "doctors are the 3rd leading cause..." is completely inaccurate and is not what the article in JAMA even implies. Although the title is catchy, the conclusions are unsubstantiated.