Malpractice primarily refers to:

Malpractice is fundamentally about a failure to meet accepted standards of practice within a particular field, such as medicine. It typically involves a healthcare provider's actions or omissions that deviate from the standards expected of a qualified professional, leading to harm or injury to a patient. This standard reflects the collective norms and guidelines agreed upon by professionals in that field, ensuring that patient safety and care quality are maintained.

In the context of radiology, for instance, if a radiologist misinterprets a crucial imaging result due to a lack of adherence to established protocols or guidelines, this could be classified as malpractice. When a healthcare provider does not meet these standards, it signifies a breach of duty to the patient, which is a core element required to establish a malpractice claim. Thus, the focus is on the established standards of care and whether the professional acted within those parameters.