Medical Malpractice and the Primary Care Physician: Lowering the Risks

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Abstract
The medical malpractice crisis is gaining increasing attention in the United States today. Before the early 1970s, physicians in primary care specialties considered themselves safe from the threat of malpractice suits. Today, however, primary care physicians are being named as defendants in malpractice suits at an accelerating rate. After providing an overview of the medical malpractice problem, we present data from patient satisfaction surveys revealing that patients are not as satisfied with their physicians as they once were. We then review the common reasons why patients contact lawyers, examine the most frequent clinical situations that result in malpractice suits, and conclude with specific recommendations which, if followed, may decrease the liability risks for primary care physicians.

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