Medscape’s Medical Malpractice Report (https://www.medscape.com/slideshow/2017-malpractice-report-6009206#1) for 2017 presents data based on survey results from over 4000 physicians in 25 different specialties. It provides insight into how the suit affected their personal and professional lives. Over 40 percent said their case took over 3 years to resolve and only 2 percent had a plaintiff’s verdict at trial. Eighty-three percent believed that saying “I’m sorry” would have made no difference as to whether or not they were sued.
Medscape Business of Medicine (www.medscape.com/businessmedicine) provides numerous articles under their section “Malpractice and Legal” for viewers who participate in a one-time registration, which is free of charge.
“A Medscape from WebMD Special Report: Guide to Winning a Malpractice Lawsuit”, for example, covers a series of articles that include: “Guide to Winning A Malpractice Lawsuit” (Mark E. Crane), a slide show that describes physician behavior at critical junctures during a lawsuit; “Why Defensive Medicine Won’t Go Away – and Might Become Worse” (Ilene R. Brenner, M.D.) that features some of the proposals involved with healthcare reform that may keep it alive and well; “Malpractice Risks Rise with New Pressure on Doctors to Undertreat” (Lee J. Johnson, Esq. and Frank J. Weinstock, M.D.) that comments on new payment arrangements that may lower costs but also pressure physicians to avoid various tests and procedures; “The Surprise Malpractice Suit: Why Did You Sue Me?” (Mark E. Crane) that reveals some experts’ views on the unanticipated lawsuit; and “Ten Things Never to Do at Your Trial” (Ilene R.Brenner, M.D.) that reviews common mistakes that can foil your defense.
Medical Economics (www.memag.com)
This website provides full-text downloadable articles on a variety of litigation-related subjects including communication, documentation, risk management, insurance, and relationships with colleagues. In many of these, physicians write about real life experiences and stress the need for support during the process. Click here to access those resources.
A February 7, 2003 article entitled, “You’ve Been Sued. There’s Help,” describes litigation “retreats” that help physicians cope with litigation and offer advice on how to be your own best witness. A September, 2017 article describes “Lessons learned from reviewing malpractice cases,” by George G. Ellis Jr., MD, FACP
MomMD (www.mommd.com)
This is a website dedicated to connecting women in medicine. Although it has no sections that specifically address the stress of litigation, it does provide articles, commentaries, and recommended books on a wide variety of subjects related to the stress women in medicine experience.
Healthcare Providers Service Organization (www.hpso.com)
This organization provides professional liability coverage for a wide range of non-physician health care professionals. Their publication, “Risk Advisor,” periodically publishes stress-related articles that are available online.
Physician News Digest (www.physiciannews.com)
This website hosts a number of articles on malpractice litigation including the article entitled “Coping with Litigation Stress” by T. Hobbes and G. Gable.
OBG Management Online (www.obgmanagement.com)
This website publishes regular monthly features on liability issues and a number of relevant articles. Use the search term, “litigation.” A recent issue includes the article, “TRUST: How to build a support net for ObGyns affected by a medical error,” by Patrice M. Weiss, MD.
MD Mentor (www.MDMentor.com)
This website is devoted to the care of physicians and others who have dedicated their lives to the art of healing, but typically have no preparation for dealing with the intricacies of the legal system with which they have become entangled.