adjective
- experiencing or characterized by an abnormal fear of doctors or medical treatment
Usage: medical/psychological term; derived from Greek iatros (physician) + phobos (fear)
Examples
- Her iatrophobic tendencies made it difficult for her to schedule routine checkups.
- The patient's iatrophobic behavior delayed his diagnosis by several months.
- Some iatrophobic individuals avoid hospitals even in emergencies.
- His iatrophobic anxiety stemmed from a traumatic childhood medical experience.
- The therapist worked with the iatrophobic client to overcome his fear of medical settings.