defensive medicine
noun /dɪˌfensɪv ˈmedsn/, /dɪˌfensɪv ˈmedɪsn/
/dɪˌfensɪv ˈmedɪsn/
[uncountable] (especially North American English)- medical treatment that may involve more tests, operations, etc. than a person really needs because a doctor is worried that a claim or complaint may be made against them in court if they make a mistake in the treatment they give