Professional liability - a no-fault solution
Article Abstract:
Although medical care is now better than it has ever been, concern over professional liability is undermining the ability of physicians to maintain that high quality. Doctors are apprehensive about lawsuits to the point where they may treat diseases like cancer less extensively than they should or even stop practicing some specialties such as obstetrics altogether. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, almost one out of eight obstetricians has stopped delivering babies. In addition, liability problems affect the doctor-patient relationship in an unfavorable way and may increase the cost of care. Doctors are increasingly practicing 'defensive medicine', where every possible test or preventive measure is ordered as protection against a potential lawsuit. An example of this is the relatively high rate of Caesarean sections performed in this country. An alternative system should be fair to both patient and physician, timely, efficient, affordable, and should guarantee a high quality of care. A no-fault system is proposed, similar to the workers' compensation program, which would be run by a nonprofit corporation. The board of directors, composed of physicians, insurers, and consumers, would make awards to cover net economic loss only for compensable medical injuries. A professional review board would review all claims over $100,000. The tort system would still be an option for patients not satisfied by the board's decision, but large awards would be unlikely. Such a system could be funded by means of a surcharge on every health and accident policy sold. Although the total cost of no-fault liability awards would be greater than now because more people would receive them, reduction in the size of the average award would free up money. New Zealand and Sweden have no-fault medical injury systems that appear to work well, and three no-fault programs of limited scope are in effect in the United States. A no-fault medical liability plan would benefit patients and physicians alike and harm only the small percentage of attorneys who specialize in malpractice lawsuits. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1990
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The hidden talent in our midst
Article Abstract:
The teaching of gifted children in the UK has traditionally focused on the very small proportion of children already showing signs of exceptional abilities. It is time to adopt a more dynamic approach, acknowledging that many more children have talent that is never really properly recognized. There are considerable numbers of children who have potential but are unable to achieve at very high levels because of inadequate provision at school and at home. The best way to uncover children's hidden potential is to provide them with what they need to learn and to encourage them.
Publication Name: The Independent
Subject: Retail industry
ISSN: 0951-9467
Year: 1998
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No more chubby hubby
Article Abstract:
A woman whose husband began gaining weight shortly after they were married. She recommends that wives study nutrition, cook lean foods and stress the health aspects of a low-fat diet if their husbands complain. She advises against criticizing.
Publication Name: McCall's
Subject: Arts and entertainment industries
ISSN: 0024-8908
Year: 1997
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