Written by an MD/JD, this book offers a unique perspective on medical-legal issues surrounding daily clinical practice. It covers all the essentials and tells the inside secrets of how to avoid cases that cost the medical community millions each year. Readers will learn basic law and the ways laws are interpreted. In addition, the book focuses on the law-medicine-politics triangle and its effect on physicians, the impact of — and issues related to — diversity in medical malpractice, and other essential topics. Physicians who better understand malpractice laws are better clinical decision makers who feel more confident in their ability as doctors.
Author(s): William T. Choctaw
Edition: 1
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 106
Cover......Page 1
Avoiding Medical Malpractice: A Physician's Guide to the Law......Page 2
Copyright......Page 4
Acknowledgments......Page 6
Contents......Page 8
Introduction......Page 11
1 Basic Law 101: The Journey Begins......Page 14
2 Shades of Gray......Page 18
3 The Triangle: Law–Medicine–Politics......Page 20
4 Definition of Malpractice: Negligence......Page 26
5 Eliminating Disruptive Physician Behavior......Page 44
6 Pain Management: The New Legal Trojan Horse......Page 51
7 Medical Informatics......Page 54
8 How to Say “I'm Sorry” Without Admitting Guilt......Page 62
9 You Have Been Served— Now What?......Page 68
10 Basic Steps in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit......Page 73
11 The Pocket Guide......Page 79
12 The Litigation Stress Syndrome......Page 84
13 Perspective: When the Physician Becomes a Patient......Page 87
14 Summary......Page 93
References......Page 94
Further Reading......Page 97
Index......Page 102
