

Today’s lecture and discussion by Dr. Anderson really got me thinking about medical malpractice in America and how its goals differ from that of patient safety. As a student, there is a tendency to assume the legal system – especially when serving patients who have suffered from an adverse event – serves a just cause. But the facts and arguments presented by Dr. Anderson deserve a clear debate and consideration of potential solutions.
I am not naive enough to believe litigation reform can come form brainstorming among young professionals in healthcare, but it is a worthy exercise to consider how to construct a system that protects honest patients and providers while ensuring compensation to those who deserve it. I cannot help but remember back to a New Yorker article by renowned physician-writer Atul Gawande on medical practice. In discussing alternatives to the current malpractice model in the United States, Gawande… Continue reading