http://media.soundmedicine.org/segments/051213_6.mp3
According to Mike Ward, M.D., a retired emergency room physician, 75 to 99 percent of all doctors will be sued for medical malpractice sometime in their career. Although most lawsuits are settled outside of court for financial compensation, lawsuits still affect a doctor’s reputation and mental health. Dr. Ward says every physician will have bad patient outcomes at times, but not all bad outcomes are due to physician negligence. Dr. Ward says that treating patients with respect and apologizing when appropriate without admitting guilt is best practice.