Surgeons and communication

A recent study found that poor communication by surgeons led to a significant proportion of malpractice claims.

Comments

Eric Turkewitz
Based on 20 years of practice in the med mal field, I can tell you that bad bedside manner or the failure to properly communicate to the patient is the #1 impetus for the patient to pick up the phone and call an attorney. The results of the study are easily predictable.
Anonymous
While they were only looking at surgeons, the findings apply to all docs. I had an elderly attending who when I was an intern told me, regarding malpractice “Juries in this state will forgive you for bad judgements and mistakes. They will not forgive you for failing to attend.” Always look at the xrays. Always look at the lab. Alway listen to what staff, patients and families have to say before acting.
I now do mostly UM and QA work. I used to think medical mistakes were due to lack of sophitication of medical knowlege. A few are. The vast vast majority are due to failure to attend. Failure to look and listen. Failure to look at the VS sheet, failure to look at the MAR before writing med orders. etc.
It is why I advocate shifting reimbursement to time like other professionals instead of procedure–thus removing the financial incentive for rushing.

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