About Quaternary Prevention: First, Do No Harm.

Clinical prevention, under the influence of public health, has been organised in a chronological manner since the middle of the 20th century. A paradigm shift from a chronological to a constructivist relationship-based preventive pattern of care (1) offers new insight into the practice of doctors, and brings to light the concept of quaternary prevention, a critical look at medical activities with an emphasis on the need not to harm. Quaternary prevention addresses the fundamental question of what constitutes too much or too little medicine. It is the fourth form of disease prevention, but also the fourth frame of action for family doctors.