Medical Malpractice ? Biggest Threat is Communication Gap between Patient-Physician

It is quite unfortunate that medical malpractice has become one of the most common criminal offenses growing rapidly all around the world. The health care professionals often behave hastily which results in serious consequences including the wrongful death of the patients.

Problems surrounding the sharing and delivery of information are among the most influential factors in the filing of medical malpractice issues. One of the research study concludes that the patient filing a lawsuit again a malfeasant medical practitioner, usually blames about the lack of communication during the medical or health care procedure.

Lack of communication was extremely high (27.6%) among physicians with a high frequency of malpractice claims, compared with the group of physicians who had no medical malpractice claims (8.2%).

Many communication errors that end up as medical malpractice can be avoided by common sense:

1.       Telling the patient about their diagnosis, treatment time and the probable results.

2.       The follow up care and tests they need must be taken in account which can build trust on a patient.

3.       Referring to the best medical specialists they need to see in the severe illness scenario, when there is the situation of diagnosing a serious or life threatening condition, like a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. 

4.       Patient medical care and medication records are extremely helpful which eradicates the chances of misdiagnosis and wrong medication. Document the treatment & performance of it.

5.       Enumerate the possibilities in advance; communicate both good and bad probable results to remove the chances of claim of medical malpractice by a patient.

6.       Discuss risks fully preceding and informed consent to eradicate any medical malpractice issue.

Thus, communication is essential part of quality assurance and risk management. Effective communication and patient-physician relationship is the best way to eradicate the biggest cause of medical malpractice.