title: ACOG Committee opinion no. 551: coping with the stress of medical professional liability litigation.
abstract: Obstetrician-gynecologists should recognize that being a defendant in a medical professional liability lawsuit can be one of life's most stressful experiences. Negative emotions in response to a lawsuit are normal, and physicians may need help from family members, peers, or professionals to cope with this stress. Open communication will assist in reducing emotional isolation and self-blame. However, pertinent legal and clinical aspects of a case must be kept confidential, except for disclosure within the confines of a protected counselor-patient relationship as determined by state law.
mesh_terms: D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006176:Gynecology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological