Proposal for medical liability reform
Article Abstract:
The medical malpractice insurance system in the US needs reforming. The Harvard Medical Practice Study found that one percent of hospital patients had an injury caused by physician negligence. Sixty percent of these injuries were minor, but 14% were fatal. A survey of malpractice claims filed by New York patients in and after 1984 found that one malpractice claim was filed for every 7.5 injuries caused by physician negligence. About one-half of all tort claims are paid; so one in 15 injuries are compensated. The income lost by patients as a result of medical injuries was approximately $870 million a year. Fault-based medical malpractice insurance attempts to prevent future injuries by making the person who caused the injury responsible. But this system may not significantly reduce the number of injuries. A no-fault system, in which the hospital takes responsibility for medical injuries, may be a better alternative. Large medical centers should follow the example of workers' compensation programs, and develop an elective no-fault insurance program for their patients.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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The magical medical media tour
Article Abstract:
Many local television stations in the 1990s have a medical news reporter. But much of the medical news that is on the air may be the product of public relations efforts by physicians, hospitals, and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. Many medical news reporters do not have the time or the expertise to distinguish between unbiased information and marketing releases. The type of stories preferred by most medical news reporters are those about new drugs and new treatments, rather than more relevant issues. Television stations often run video news releases that are produced by pharmaceutical and medical device manufactures. A certification program should be developed for broadcast medical reporters by professional organizations involved in medical communication. Many physicians are under pressure to promote themselves and their practices in the media. Physicians must assume responsibility for the information that they communicate in the media, and consider how this information may affect their patients.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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