MD & DO How do you deal with the fear of getting sued?

[salpinx minx]

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Hey y'all,

I'm a long-time SDN reader, just recently got more into posting/replying. I'm an MS2. Still undecided on fields, but leaning towards OBGYN (hence my username/image - before you @ me, save the OBGYN hate, I can't help what I like!) I realize that any type of doctor can get sued, not just OBGYN's (although OBGYNs by far get sued the most). The idea of maybe going to court someday and getting my credibility torn apart for something that maybe wasn't even my fault is kinda terrifying. I wonder how I can do a good job taking care of patients with this constant worry.

How do you deal with this fear? I'd really appreciate advice that isn't just "pick a different field". Let's assume that litigation is something we all will potentially have to worry about. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Tenk]

You just do your best and treat your patients how you’d treat your family. The majority of lawsuits have nothing to do with terrible medicine and more to do with patients feeling they were ignored or not taken seriously, resulting (to them) in a bad outcome. Regardless, the best way to win a lawsuit is to avoid one. Do I order tests just because I don’t want to “get sued” sometimes? Absolutely. Do I try not to? Absolutely. In the end you just kinda learn to deal with it but it’s always there in the background. Read the story of the Sword of Damocles. Very fitting.

 

[siliso]

Most doctors get sued eventually. Anyone can sue you for anything, not that they’ll win. That’s why you have insurance and lawyers.
Deal with the fear by doing the right thing for your patients and work out to yourself whether each decision you are making is one you could hold your head high and explain (in peer review, to a court, to your patient’s family). It’s far more frightening honestly in practice to worry about harming a patient, all lawsuits aside. But I think that’s a salutary fear.

 

[Melanogaster]

You're gonna get sued, just do the best you can and get insurance.

 

[Black Coffee 24/7]

Hey y'all,

I'm a long-time SDN reader, just recently got more into posting/replying. I'm an MS2. Still undecided on fields, but leaning towards OBGYN (hence my username/image - before you @ me, save the OBGYN hate, I can't help what I like!) I realize that any type of doctor can get sued, not just OBGYN's (although OBGYNs by far get sued the most). The idea of maybe going to court someday and getting my credibility torn apart for something that maybe wasn't even my fault is kinda terrifying. I wonder how I can do a good job taking care of patients with this constant worry.

How do you deal with this fear? I'd really appreciate advice that isn't just "pick a different field". Let's assume that litigation is something we all will potentially have to worry about. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

My male OBGYN preceptor with over 26 years of practice hasn't been sued once in his entire career, and he made plenty of mistakes.

The key things are:

1) Be cordial and honest
2) Practice the best medicine for your pt
3) Take the time to educate your pt on conservative methods first, and pros and cons for diff procedures

 

[getdown]

Work for the government. They can't sue you, they have to sue the US gov. Most lose.

 

[salpinx minx]

thanks everyone! this is very helpful advice 🙂

 

[RNthenDoc]

I was taught that you can practice pretty terrible medicine without getting sued if your patients like you as a person.

If they dislike you, they will be looking for a reason.

It’s hard to say “just make everyone like you!” But I do think demeanor and an air of competence can be therapeutic.

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

Hey y'all,

I'm a long-time SDN reader, just recently got more into posting/replying. I'm an MS2. Still undecided on fields, but leaning towards OBGYN (hence my username/image - before you @ me, save the OBGYN hate, I can't help what I like!) I realize that any type of doctor can get sued, not just OBGYN's (although OBGYNs by far get sued the most). The idea of maybe going to court someday and getting my credibility torn apart for something that maybe wasn't even my fault is kinda terrifying. I wonder how I can do a good job taking care of patients with this constant worry.

How do you deal with this fear? I'd really appreciate advice that isn't just "pick a different field". Let's assume that litigation is something we all will potentially have to worry about. Any advice appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The best way to deal with this fear is to practice medicine in a state with a low incidence of malpractice suits and relatively low medical malpractice insurance rates. See this link:
This Interactive Map Shows Which States Sue Doctors The Most