title: Professional negligence.
abstract: In the last 5 years there has been an extraordinary increase in negligence actions against South Australian ophthalmologists. This paper considers the reasons, in particular those changes in the interpretation of the law which have made doctors vulnerable. Medical practice needs to be modified if doctors, especially surgeons, are to protect themselves, but the appropriate changes may not be in patients' best interests. The law of negligence is said to be on the brink of collapse and the Australian situation offers an interesting contrast to New Zealand's no-fault accident insurance scheme.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D007603:Jurisprudence; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D008318:Malpractice; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010361:Patients