Medico-Legal Issues in Infectious Diseases: Guide For Physicians (Emerging Infectious Diseases of the 21st Century)

Despite the fact that most physicians will encounter medical litigation at some point in their careers, they have few resources for navigating through legal issues within the body of medical literature. With this in mind, this volume provides guidance to physicians and researchers. As the latest in the Emerging Infectious Diseases of the 21st Century series, it gives case scenarios in the format of problem-solving challenges faced by physicians in various practices and subspecialties. It covers topics including issues in the surgical and neurosurgical disciplines, obstetrics and gynecological infections, skin/soft tissue conditions, fevers, and complications related to HIV. It also gives information medical liability laws around the world. Rather than encourage defensive medical practice, this book provides information on administering better care and being honest and fair with patients when addressing inevitable mistakes. It is a must for all practicing physicians. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 General Principles....Pages 3-17 Front Matter....Pages 19-19 Complaints Related to the Head....Pages 21-37 Conditions of the Skin/Soft Tissue in the ER....Pages 39-57 Litigation in Infections of Obstetrics and Gynecology....Pages 59-77 Front Matter....Pages 79-79 General Practitioner Liabilities....Pages 81-97 Looking Beyond the Obvious....Pages 99-116 Failure to Counsel Can Lead to Litigation....Pages 117-132 Litigations for Unexpected Adverse Events....Pages 133-152 Front Matter....Pages 153-153 Orthopedic Complications....Pages 155-181 Neurosurgical Medico-legal Issues....Pages 183-198 Litigations in General Surgery....Pages 199-215 Litigations in Plastic Surgery....Pages 217-232 Litigations for HIV Related Complications....Pages 233-247 Overview of Medico-legal Issues....Pages 249-263 Back Matter....Pages 265-291 The aim of this book is not to encourage defensive medical practice, but to help provide better, optimum care to patients and to be forth right and honest to our dear customers about our inevitable mistakes. This book will focus on clinical issues facing physicians in different settings (which can lead to malpractice), and the best approach to use to avoid litigations, and practice good medicine. Medico-Legal Issues in Infectious Diseases helps physicians avoid diagnosis issues that often lead to litigation. The text provides problem-solving challenges that physicians often face in various practices and subspecialties.