Practice of defensive medicine among surgeons in Ethiopia: cross-sectional study.

"Declarations Ethical clearance and consent to participateEthical clearance was obtained from the AAU College of Health Science and School of Medicine Department of Surgery Research and Ethics Committee from a letter written with reference number RC/DOS/CHS/AAU/019/2021. Informed consent was included on the online survey questionnaire and a cover letter provided basic information about the study. Informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the survey and the study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki. All data are collected anonymously and they will not be used for other purpose than the study question. For participants who failed to give consent, the online survey questionnaire allowed them to automatically leave the survey. Regarding physicians who decided to leave the survey after initial consent, the survey questionnaire allowed them to decline submission. Consent for publicationNot applicable. Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests."

"Funding Nil."