What term describes the act of contacting patients to offer services without their request?

The term that accurately describes the act of contacting patients to offer services without their request is solicitation. Solicitation in the medical context refers to the practice of actively reaching out to potential patients to promote services, especially in situations where there has been no prior request or inquiry from the patient. This practice is generally viewed unfavorably in medical ethics and law, as it can be seen as invasive or unprofessional.

Barratry, on the other hand, specifically refers to the unlawful act of initiating or maintaining litigation with no legal basis, often for the sole purpose of generating legal fees. While it does involve unethical behavior, it is not applicable to the situation of unsolicited contact with patients. The other options, disturbance and misrepresentation, do not pertain to the act of contacting patients for services without their invitation. Disturbance might refer to interruptions in a context unrelated to patient solicitation, and misrepresentation pertains to false statements or claims, which is also distinct from the act described.