Malpractice claims, patient communication, and critical paths: a lawyer's perspective.
Patient confusion and anger resulting from poor provider-patient communication are major factors giving rise to malpractice claims. This article uses the true story of Patient X to explore how communication issues contribute to claims. It also studies the motives of malpractice plaintiffs within the context of the scholarly literature. The article concludes that critical paths can play a positive role in ensuring timeliness, consistency, thoroughness, and patient comprehension of key communication. If used correctly, critical paths can address some of the root causes of malpractice suits.
Warner & Stackpole, Boston, MA, USA.
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D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D015285:Hospital-Patient Relations; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States