title: Medical Negligence in Military Hospitals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bringing the doctors under the ambit of Consumer Protection Act has made an impact on doctor-patient relationship. There has been an increase in legal cases of medical negligence in the recent past. This article provides practical information on medical negligence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complaints received at Army Headquarters were studied to understand the factors involved in medical negligence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Various aspects of medical negligence including doctor-patient relationship in the military set up have been discussed. Preliminary measures to be taken to avoid cases of negligence are enumerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Good communication skills to build a rapport with the patient is the key to avoid majority of the complaints. The doctor must pay due courtesy, respect and care to the patient besides maintaining medical records scrupulously.
authors.affiliation: ADMS, Headquarters Northern Command, C/o 56 APO.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.affiliation: Medical Officer, Military Hospital, Establishment No. 22, C/o 56 APO.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Perumal
authors.affiliation: Medical Officer, Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiwale
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (PSM), National Institute of Virology, Pune-411001.
authors.lastname: Rajkumar
keywords: Doctor patient relationship; Medical negligence