When a physician gets sued, their effect strikes a physician to the core:
Those physicians who have not yet been sued may be surprised to learn what a web of conflicting emotions it elicits. One moment I felt shame and self-pity, while the next moment I felt sadness and sympathy for those who had sued me because something bad did happen, regardless of culpability. Moments later, the compassion turned to anger at those who sued me for betraying me and my best efforts.Oh, there was plenty of anger to go around. I was angry with the legal system for operating at a glacial pace while expecting physicians to make dozens of critical decisions without flaw during our brief, hurried encounters with patients.
