Why are Obstetricians and Gynaecologists the most sued doctors?

This is because most of the cases in this feild require active management and intervention. The doctor is always faced with time constraints in deciding the type of intervention required.Inability of the doctors to agree on the guidelines of management of certain cases and inability of some patients/relatives to understand certain disease states also add to the problem.

All operations and procedures in medicine carry a small hazard or risk. This risk can never be eliminated ,but it can be minimised. These risks, which must be acceptable but in many cases are a common source of litigation.

What percentage of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are sued?

A survey by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) found that 70% of its fellows had been sued by the patients they had tried to help. 50% of them have been sued more than once.

What is the medical protection society (MPS)?

First established in 1982, due to the increasing number of litigation’s against doctors. Its main aim is to provide support for doctors facing legal claims.

The Medical Protection Society (MPS),first established in UK, now has an international presence in over 40 countries and over 235,000 members. eg in New Zealand alone there are over 12,000 members.

In 1989 the MPS decided that it would only meet obstetric claims if members would pay differential subscriptions. Obstetricians were told to pay three times higher than general practitioners.

However presently, due to the rising costs, the NHS takes over the whole liability for claims against hospital doctors.

How much is the cost of Medical Defence Organizations to Doctors?

In Ireland the old system continues. The obstetricians have to pay the medical defence organization  (as of 1st July 1999) 68 665 pounds per annum.

References:

Pages 602 to 604. Chapter 48.Medicolegal aspects of Pregnancy by M.A.M.S. Leigh .Dewhurst’s Textbook of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for Postgraduates. Sixth Edition .Edited by D Keith Edmonds. A blackwell scientific publication

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