Introduction

Medical malpractice is a significant con­cern worldwide, with far-reaching consequences for patients, healthcare provid­ers, and the overall health­care system.

It is defined as a deviation from the standard of care that results in patient harm, and can take many forms, includ­ing misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and inadequate patient care.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the issues surrounding medical malpractice, its consequenc­es, and potential solutions.

The prevalence of

medical malpractice.

Medical malpractice is a widespread problem that af­fects patients in many coun­tries. According to a study published in the Journal of Patient Safety, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, resulting in an estimated 251,000 deaths per year. Sim­ilarly, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that medical errors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK.

Types of medical

malpractice

Medical malpractice can take many forms, including:

1. Misdiagnosis: Failure to accurately diagnose a patient’s condition, leading to delayed or inappropriate treatment.

2. Surgical errors: Mistakes made during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving instruments inside a patient.

3. Medication errors: Pre­scribing or administering the wrong medication, dose, or route of administration.

4. Inadequate patient care: Failure to provide adequate care, including neglecting to monitor patients, provide nec­essary treatment, or respond to patient concerns.

Consequences of medi­cal malpractice:

Medical malpractice can have severe consequences for patients, including:

1. Physical harm: Patients may experience pain, suf­fering, and long-term health consequences.

2. Emotional trauma: Patients and their families may experience anxiety, de­pression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

3. Financial burden: Pa­tients may incur significant medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs.

Solutions to medical malpractice:

To address the issue of medical malpractice, many countries have implemented reforms aimed at reducing the number of claims and im­proving patient safety. Some potential solutions include:

1. Tort reform: Limiting the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice cases.

2. Alternative dispute reso­lution: Using mediation or arbitration to resolve disputes outside of court.

3. Communication and Resolution Programs (CRPs): Encouraging open communi­cation between healthcare providers and patients, and providing fair compensation for injuries.

Conclusion

Medical malpractice is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address.

By understanding the preva­lence, types, and consequenc­es of medical malpractice, we can work towards creating a safer and more compassionate healthcare system.

Potential solutions, such as tort reform, alternative dispute resolution, and CRPs, offer promising approaches to reducing medical malpractice claims and improving patient safety.

References:

[1] Makary, M. A., & Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the US. BMJ, 353, i2139.

[2] Vincent, C., Neale, G., & Woloshynowych, M. (2001). Adverse events in British hospitals: preliminary retro­spective record review. BMJ, 322(7285), 517-519.

By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson

I watched a quiz show on TV last Sunday, between two schools, Okuapeman and I think University Practice. After the first round, Univer­sity Practice was leading with about 30 points and Okuape­man had nothing.

Then comes the second round of the intended four rounds of competition and at the end of the round, sur­prise, surprise, Okuapeman had 60 points and University Practice had either zero or 10.

In the final analysis, Okua­peman won the competition with 95 points to University Practice’s 90 or 93 points. Such is life and the mysteries of life, are difficult to fath­om.

There are classmates that we thought could not amount to much in life and yet we become pleasantly surprised as time passed, about the vast improvement in their lives.

There were other mates who were obviously destined for the top, based on their academic prowess but be­came complete failures later on in life.

When I was in the primary school, there was a class­mate who most of the time came first in the end of term exams. He was very brilliant and so he going further up the academic ladder through Sec­ondary school, Sixth form and ending up at the University was a forgone conclusion.

However, life’s mystery set in and he ended up as a teacher in a technical school owned by his brother-in-law. He did not amount to much, became an alcoholic and eventually passed away.

The day I heard that he had passed away and his general circumstances, I felt so sad. Such is life and sometimes it is like the quiz competition I witnessed, full of uncertain­ties.

There was another senior in Middle School, who also was very brilliant. In fact he got a score of 254 out of 300 in the Common Entrance Exam­ination. Many years later, in my early years at the Uni­versity, I met this guy at the Tarkwa Train Station and got the shock of my life. This guy was wearing a dirty, loosely fitting singlet and his state was pitiful.

Naturally after expressing pleasantries, I asked him what he was doing in Tarkwa after telling him that I was a student at the university. He then narrated how he was dismissed from the most prestigious Secondary School in the Kwahu area after some smoking and going out with­out exeat issue.

He further indicated that as a result, he was then hustling and doing Galam­sey to make ends meet. I would have had a hard time believing that he was doing Galamsey and not working in a reputable organisation or institution if it was told me by someone. Indeed life can sometimes be like a quiz competition, if God is not involved.

Since we are not God and therefore do not have knowl­edge of what the future holds, we need to treat people who come across our paths well because you never know.

When I went for the fu­neral of one of my aunties, on my father side, with my SUV many years ago, a lot of my relatives were surprised because they never imagined that.

When it comes to say wealth, it has nothing to do with one’s academic qualifi­cations. We have some of the wealthiest people who were school dropouts and so we need to be careful how we treat people, because life is like a quiz competition and you never know until the com­petition comes to an end.

I have seen someone who was not that nice looking, the nose being flat and all, and then 12 years later, such a huge natural transformation; so never write anybody off, because life is like a quiz competition. God bless.

NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’

By Laud Kissi-Mensah