[vhawk01]

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Mistakes happen in medicine as much as at your mechanic's, just with different results. We didn't sue because that would solve nothing.

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WTF? If the mechanic makes a negligent mistake that causes damage to your car, you would expect them to compensate you for that damage, no? If a physician makes a negligent mistake that costs someone their health or life, should they not be held to the same standard as the mechanic who screwed up your car?

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Higher standard, if you ask me. Medical mistakes are far less forgivable than automotive mistakes, and for that reason much greater measures must be taken to reduce their number. Unfortunately, it seems to be the case that a certain amount of random error is going to occur in any system, so the best way to reduce the overall incidence of medical error is from an institutional approach. Malpractice lawsuits tend to punitively target individual physicians, but fear of making mistakes isn't a good motivator for success. Rather, putting doctors in positions where they cannot fail is more effective.

But I don't have a huge problem with malpractice suits. I'm too young to be a part of this old guard of physicians that imagine themselves to be above reproach. I'm way more interested in perfecting the craft of helping people than covering my own ass.