The Mediating Role of Working Hours in the Effect of Surgical and Internal Medicine Residents’ Fear of Malpractice on Defensive Medical Practices

This study supports the notion that fear of malpractice is a central factor influencing physicians' decision-making processes and increases positive defensive behaviors, such as requesting unnecessary tests, and negative defensive behaviors, such as avoiding high-risk patients. Cite this article as: Kasali K, Kahramanlar AA, Yılmaz MA, .zg.dek HB, Şenocak E. The mediating role of working hours in the effect of surgical and internal medicine residents' fear of malpractice on defensive medical practices. Eurasian J Med. 2026, 58(1), 1279, doi:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2026.251279.