Why Patients Sue Doctors: Lessons learned from medical malpractice cases

by Duncan Graham SC, MBBS, LLB (Hons), FACLM, Bernard Kelly AM, BSc (Med) (Hons), MBBS, FRACGP, David A. Richards OAM, BSc (Med) (Hons), MBBS, MD, FRACP

Overview

Why do patients sue their doctors? The answer is not straightforward. It is unlikely to be singular. One thing, however, is certain: the answer is important to the quality of health care. This book provides answers to this important question.

In Why Patients sue Doctors the authors draw on their collective experience in over 1000 real-life medicolegal cases to explore why and how doctors make mistakes. By analysing and discussing the situations and behaviours that lead to complaints by patients and their families, this book provides practical guidance on how to improve clinical care and avoid litigation. The lessons learned will help practitioners in the future avoid some common clinical pitfalls of the past.

This will be of immediate interest to anyone concerned about the quality of healthcare and how to improve it. The cases presented by the authors will also be of general interest to those wishing to know more about medical litigation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780729543705
Publisher:	Elsevier Health Sciences
Publication date:	09/22/2020
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Duncan Graham is a barrister with a medical degree. He previously worked as a medical practitioner and solicitor. He now specialises in cases of medical negligence, coronial inquests, professional misconduct, and class actions involving pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Bernard Kelly is a general practitioner who works in metropolitan, rural and remote locations. He has extensive experience in teaching and medical regulation. He provides expert witness opinions in medical negligence and professional misconduct cases.

David Richards is a physician, with broad experience in clinical and interventional cardiology, education and research. He provides expert witness opinions for plaintiffs, defendants and government agencies.

Table of Contents

IntroductionEthical issuesPost-traumatic stress disorderDeliriumFamily dynamicsCerebral palsyToxoplasmosisPostnatal depressionRestraintSyncopeVisual disturbanceThings may not be as they seemHeadacheMechanism of strokeA pharmacological nightmareSteroid toxicitySagging lipTongue cancerChildhood cancerNeck painShoulder painUnexplained feverPersistently unwellMother knows bestNecrotising fasciitis Sore wristIngestion of a caustic solutionHaemoptysisAsthma during pregnancyDyspnoeaPalpitationsIschaemic heart diseaseChest painToo many cooksBreast lumpsA number of health concernsA sick infantAn avoidable tragedyObesityAbdominal painUnexplained weight lossRectal bleedingMissed periodAn obstetric abnormalityPlacenta percretaPelvic organ prolapseA mesh by another nameFailed hip replacementCauda equina syndromeBladder cancerPenile cancerLeg weaknessLacerated footTypes of mistakesListening and learningThinking and reasoningProfessionalism and insightLessons for doctors and othersFurther readingAbbreviationsIndex

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From the Publisher

Over 1000 real-life medicolegal cases to explore why and how doctors make mistakes