Tort reform and increasing reimbursement rates are only temporary solutions to the problem of rising practice costs. The only lasting solution is to modify our medical practices to meet the expectations of a world that demands no undesirable outcomes ever!
In obstetrics, this means no operative procedures except for a 100% C-section rate, since a common theme in litigation is: “You should have done a C-section.”
In gynecology, we need to return to the basic principles of doing no harm and putting the patient’s best interest first. This means forgetting about our egos, “exciting” technologies, ancillary income opportunities, marketing, and even plain scientific research. These are big temptations, but common elements in lawsuits.
Pablo A. Pinzon, MD
Oklahoma City