Tips from doctors who've never been sued
Mangels, L.S.
Medical Economics 68(4): 56-58; 60-64
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7206 PMID: 10109110 Document Number: 7941
I've made a career of studying the reasons doctors get sued for malpractice. While all doctors make mistakes, some who injure their patients never see a summons, and many who've done no harm are hauled into court. Usually, a patient's decision to sue or to forgive is based on his relationship with the doctor prior to the incident. The stronger the bond, the less likely the lawyers will be brought in. But how do physicians forge powerful ties with patients? In the spring of 1990, the Texas Medical Association asked doctors with proven track records to share their secrets. An ad in TMA's monthly journal invited those who'd practiced at least 20 years without a malpractice suit to describe their strategies for handling patient relations. More than 200 doctors responded, and nearly all pointed to ways for doctors to improve communication with their patients. Here's a summary of their advice.
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