Malpractice

[45408]

Sure, but remember that the patient in 90% of cases is so focused on the upcoming procedure, their discomfort, and their outside life concerns, that honestly you won't make a great deal of memorable impact no matter how emphatic you are. It's always a vaguely remembered conversation.

I disagree. In most cases, we're trying to reassure the patient that the complications are infrequent and not that bad, because (1. that's usually the case, (2. the patient needs the procedure, and we don't want to dissuade them from something they need, (3. you won't be in business long if you talk all of your patients out of an operation.

However, when someone is a poor operative candidate but still needs an elective procedure, like a colon resection for recurrent bleeding from tics or cancer, you pitch them some realistic odds and outcomes. They will not forget that you told them that they will need to go to a nursing home afterward and will probably have an ostomy.

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