Question

Explain the impact of negligence, malpractice, and litigation on the relationship between patient and provider.

Answer 1

The following are the impacts of negligence, malpractice, and litigation on the relationship between patient and provider.

Negligence: Often medical negligence is perceived in conjunction with adverse events. The difference between adverse event and negligence is that adverse events can be in the form of any injury or harm caused during the treatment given. Whereas negligence in the medical context is the failure to provide the care to the patient according to the standards. if substandard care is provided and it results in deterioration of patient's health then it is an act of negligence. The relationship between patient and healthcare providers such as doctors, nursing staff, etc creates negative impact on patient trust to seek medical care from the provider on incidences of malpractice. negligence in performing a sacred and ethical duty of patient care impacts the healthcare provider's negative image perception and strains the relationship between patient and provider.

Malpractice: Malpractice in the healthcare is a serious issue and can be describe as unskilled, improper, deliberate and careless methods or care given by the healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists that results in serious threat to the life of the patient. The act of malpractice can heavily impact the quality and extent of life of the patient leading to severe and long lasting consequences. The news or rumors even of malpractice can lead to tarnishing of reputation and deter patient from approaching the providers from seeking any medical help. Safety is an important aspect of medical treatment and any compromise to it in the form of malpractice can severely affect the patient and physician relationship. The patient has a faith to get the best care possible as the care givers are trained, professionals and work in ethical manner and failure to perform in professional manner can severely impact the community's view of healthcare provider.

Litigation: Failure to give the standard care of treatment or sheer negligence in the patient's treatment can lead to legal consequences in the form of litigation. When the health of the patient is severely compromised due to negligence or malpractice, the person responsible can be exposed to legal actions in litigation and lead to legal investigation, revocation of medical practice license, legal damage seeking inquiry, compensatory proceedings, etc. The relationship between patient and provider due to litigations filed can have long lasting impacts on the trust worthiness of the provider and affect the reputation, functioning, progress of the healthcare provider in a negative way.