The physician's reaction to a malpractice suit

A malpractice suit can have a devastating impact on a practitioner's professional and personal life. The physician's reaction to this event is profound, affecting his own life-style and that of family, colleagues, and patients. This commentary presents an analogy between the physician'...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953) Vol. 71; no. 1; p. 138
Main Author:	Lavery, J P
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-01-1988
Subjects:	Adaptation, Psychological Grief Humans Malpractice - legislation & jurisprudence Physician-Patient Relations Physicians - psychology
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	A malpractice suit can have a devastating impact on a practitioner's professional and personal life. The physician's reaction to this event is profound, affecting his own life-style and that of family, colleagues, and patients. This commentary presents an analogy between the physician's reaction to a malpractice suit and the stages of grief described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: the sequence of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Understanding the psychodynamics of this reaction can help physicians to cope with the problems inherent in a malpractice suit and to maintain a greater stability in their personal lives. Adverse effects on medical practice and private life-style, and on the legal proceedings, can be minimized.
ISSN:	0029-7844