Medical Error, Ethics, and Apology
by
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Poor or unexpected medical outcomes have become a lightning rod for blame and litigation, especially if communication of essential information is lacking. In this age of advanced technology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, what appear as medical errors are compounded by our dysfunctional and largely impersonal healthcare system. The latest pharmaceuticals and treatments developed for the multitude of genetic and epigenetic issues we face are too often sullied by the media, while ignoring inherent dangers and consequences (read as the frequently understated “black box warnings”).
With the enormous explosion of technology comes an overwhelming amount of information and disinformation. With the erosion of the nuclear family and the present political divisiveness, there is loss of trust and conviction. Litigation has become a reflexive solution to our ills with its frustrations and siege mentality in which we find ourselves. This is especially true of the physician, who has the demoralizing task of working with an electronic health record that steals time from patient care, education conferences and even lunch. The corporate takeover of healthcare with the complicity of the health insurers and the laissez-faire attitude of our government concerns itself primarily with the bottom line.
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About the Book
Ethicists and medical scholars agree that adverse medical events should be disclosed to patients and families. However, defining what constitutes a medical error can be difficult.
Richard George Boudreau, a maxillofacial surgeon, bioethicist, attorney, and forensic expert, examines medical errors and adverse medical events – as well as how apologies and disclosures can actually reduce litigation costs. Get the answers to questions such as:
• Why is litigation the wrong way to deal with medical error?
• What has led to the medical culture of deny and defend?
• How can disputes be resolved without litigation?
• Can communication and resolution programs be more effective?
The book contains a history of medicine, medical errors, and litigation; outlines what philosophers have said about medical error; and contains case studies on what to do and what not to do.
About the Author
Richard George Boudreau is a maxillofacial surgeon, bioethicist, attorney at law, and forensic expert who serves on the faculty of the U.C.L.A. Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. He has earned numerous academic credentials and has several fellowships. He volunteers as a teacher and is passionate about health care, law, theology, philosophy, education, and public policy. He is also the author of Bioethics Perspective of the Feasibility and Implementation of an Existential Psychoanalytic Praxis Addressing End-of-Life Care in the Elderly; Incorporating Bioethics Education into School Curriculums, and US Universal Health Care in 2020.