Avoiding Medical Malpractice: A Physician's Guide to the Law

Medical Malpractice is written from the unique perspective of an MD/JD and covers all the right topics from an insider’s point-of-view. Readers will learn basic law and the various ways laws are interpreted; how to be an effective witness in your own defense; how to manage malpractice risk; how juries make decisions; how plaintiff and defense lawyers litigate in malpractice cases; and the importance of good communication and documentation in daily practice. 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 to provide the best care possible. Medical Malpractice is a much-needed resource to help physicians navigate legal issues and be the best doctors they can be.

Avoiding Medical Malpractice: A Physician's Guide to the Law is a reader-friendly, physician oriented, handbook on how to avoid malpractice lawsuits. As both a practicing surgeon and an attorney, Dr. Choctaw provides real world perspectives into both the medical and legal aspects of malpractice issues.

Dr. Choctaw's insider's-point-of-view explains what physicians need to know both before and during legal proceedings. Key topics include:

• basic legal definitions
• how to manage malpractice risk
• how to be an effective witness in your own defense
• how plaintiff and defense lawyers litigate in malpractice cases
• the importance of good communication and documentation in daily practice
• what "informed consent" means in both legal and clinical contexts

An increasingly important concept for physicians is covered in the chapter entitled "Disruptive Physician Behavior." This discussion covers the increasing legalization of medicine and its impact on both physicians’ attitudes and perspectives in clinical practice. Dr. Choctaw offers practical advice on how to minimize these behaviors and, thus, many of the root causes of litigation.

Some issues in the ongoing litigation crisis are far beyond the influence of individual physicians. But, there are corrective measures clinicians can take in their daily practice to avoid malpractice litigation. Avoiding Medical Malpractice: A Physician's Guide to the Law shows physicians, residents, and even students not only how to learn techniques to avoid malpractice lawsuits, but also provides first-hand, real world advice on how to survive unavoidable litigation.