title: A case study in progress: practice guidelines and the affirmative defense in Maine.
abstract: To encourage physicians to practice less defensively, the Maine Medical Liability Demonstration project adopted the controversial "affirmative defense" to combat runaway malpractice liability by granting immunity to physicians who follow practice guidelines. Despite challenges from trial lawyers, physicians are beginning to accept the program.
authors.affiliation: Maine Medical Association, Manchester.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003675:Defensive Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008281:Maine; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010819:Physician's Role; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*