About this Research Topic
Medical liability is a major issue in the health care system, involving both legal and medical professions. Pediatric and obstetric malpractice is unique among physician specialties in that the victims of malpractice are predominantly children. In the United States, one in three pediatricians is sued once in his/her career and one in 10 pediatricians is sued for care provided during his/her training.
Although the frequency of malpractice claims against US pediatricians is among the lowest of all specialties, the mean malpractice indemnity payments paid by pediatricians are among the highest.
Given the complexity of today’s healthcare system, successful outcome depends on a range of factors, not just the competence of an individual healthcare provider. Good communication is a key element of the physician-patient relationship; it is important to understand its role in the current medico-legal climate. Communication between the pediatricians and the parents should be clear, in understandable language that avoids complex medical terminology. Communication also involves careful and attentive listening and sensitivity to the needs of the family. Physicians should also devote sufficient time to address issues raised by the family.
The goal of this Research Topic is to learn more about pediatric malpractice, collecting more and better data to understand all the particular clinical scenarios important to help physicians to resolve future potential conflicts.
In this Research Topic, we aim to perform an analysis of current knowledge on the following theme: Pediatric specificities of medical liability.
Potential sub-themes of the current issue
- Medical diagnoses associated with pediatric malpractice claims
- Malpractice risk according to surgical pediatric sub-specialties
- General and specific risk management techniques applicable to pediatric specificities (identify, evaluate, and address problems that might injure patients, lead to malpractice claims, and cause financial loss to healthcare entities).
Although the frequency of malpractice claims against US pediatricians is among the lowest of all specialties, the mean malpractice indemnity payments paid by pediatricians are among the highest.
Given the complexity of today’s healthcare system, successful outcome depends on a range of factors, not just the competence of an individual healthcare provider. Good communication is a key element of the physician-patient relationship; it is important to understand its role in the current medico-legal climate. Communication between the pediatricians and the parents should be clear, in understandable language that avoids complex medical terminology. Communication also involves careful and attentive listening and sensitivity to the needs of the family. Physicians should also devote sufficient time to address issues raised by the family.
The goal of this Research Topic is to learn more about pediatric malpractice, collecting more and better data to understand all the particular clinical scenarios important to help physicians to resolve future potential conflicts.
In this Research Topic, we aim to perform an analysis of current knowledge on the following theme: Pediatric specificities of medical liability.
Potential sub-themes of the current issue
- Medical diagnoses associated with pediatric malpractice claims
- Malpractice risk according to surgical pediatric sub-specialties
- General and specific risk management techniques applicable to pediatric specificities (identify, evaluate, and address problems that might injure patients, lead to malpractice claims, and cause financial loss to healthcare entities).
Keywords: Medical Liability, Pediatrics, Malpractice
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