Malpractice claims dropped by half when physicians apologized for error

[premed1437]

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What do you guys think of all the "new" research showing this.

i.e.,

http://www.2keller.com/blog/illinoi...es-could-settle-medical-malpractice-suits.cfm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534345,00.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32011837/ns/health-health_care/

http://www.physorg.com/news196351005.html

etc.

 

[morning]

2 of your links are about the same study. The fourth one is very interesting but getting all the way into court really doesn't solve most of the problem. It would probably ease a physician's mind, but how would it fix defensive medicine? You'd still be trying desperately to avoid the mediation to begin with.

So, maybe a good start, but it misses crucial issues that still need to be resolved.

 

[premed1437]

2 of your links are about the same study. The fourth one is very interesting but getting all the way into court really doesn't solve most of the problem. It would probably ease a physician's mind, but how would it fix defensive medicine? You'd still be trying desperately to avoid the mediation to begin with.

So, maybe a good start, but it misses crucial issues that still need to be resolved.

I'm not taking sides, I'm just asking for a better understanding/others' opinions.

You went into a little more detail about the 4th, but what about the other links/studies? What about them is flawed?

 

[Mute98]

in some cases couldnt it be detrimental? Wouldnt that be an admission of guilt?

 

[HouseMD30]

completely unacceptable

 

[redsquareblack]

Love this idea. The first link is a bit weak-sauce (asking 550 people if they'd sue if the doctor apologized?), but I like the results U of M are getting, and I'm glad to read that BMC is adopting it, as well.

At the end of the day, it is just common decency, over and above cost-savings.

 

[LizzyM]

We were teaching this in medical school 20 years ago based on anecdotal evidence. But it is true that it does nothing to reduce defensive medicine.

 

[InLocoAbsentia]

And perhaps it won't, unless it can be shown that apologies for medical errors reduce the expected losses (naively, the probability you get sued * the probability you lose or settle * the expected loss due to a successful suit) due to lawsuits. Apologizing may reduce the probability you get sued, but if it causes a compensatory increase in the probability you would lose if you did have to go to court, the best strategy is still to keep a stiff lip.

 

[wagmanager]

Call me naive, but if you did make a mistake and you know you did, from one human being to another shouldn't you apologize.How can we pretend to be caring and all that, if due to a mistake on your part a patient has to have a kidney removed and you don't even say sorry.

 

[Web MD]

When you get sued for 5 million dollars and can't practice anywhere I would assume that your ability to contribute to the good of society kind of depreciates

 

[premed1437]

We were teaching this in medical school 20 years ago based on anecdotal evidence. But it is true that it does nothing to reduce defensive medicine.

Why is that? Just because 1 suit can screw everything up so they continue to practice defensive medicine just incase?

 

[Ischemic]

Why is that? Just because 1 suit can screw everything up so they continue to practice defensive medicine just incase?

yes, you don't get sued for 50 bucks but for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars not to mention the mental anguish and stain on your reputation. I'd rather do a few more tests to cover my ass then deal with all the BS that follows. Lawyers will DIG through **** and find the most minuscule garbage to call you on and the "Jury of your peers" are too stupid to know the difference.

Also good physician rapport with their patients also significantly reduce the likelihood patients will sue you.