What is the definition of malpractice?

Malpractice is defined as illegal or negligent professional activity that results in harm to a patient. This term is commonly associated with healthcare providers who fail to meet the standard of care expected in their professional duties, leading to injury or damage. In the context of healthcare, it could involve various scenarios, such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or failure to provide appropriate treatment, all of which may compromise patient safety or well-being.

The other options present definitions or concepts that do not accurately capture the essence of malpractice. Positive professional activity reflects competent and ethical conduct, which is contrary to the idea of malpractice. Ethical decision-making pertains to the moral considerations in professional scenarios but does not encompass the negligent or illegal actions characteristic of malpractice. Certification for professional conduct relates to qualifications or credentials, while malpractice indicates a failure in those standards, thus separating it from the notion of certification.