To what extent can it be argued that a doctor, who explains the Essay

To what extent can it be argued that a doctor, who explains the procedures and all the risks and then obtains the patients consent, is free from the potential t - Essay Example derately undisruptive, however, others bring substantial damage not just to the patient and families but also to the entire medical profession and the health care industry. When medical mistakes arise, health care professionals are inclined not to report these incidents for fear of litigation which makes the identification and prevention of these errors tough to deal with and hard to correct (Joshi, Anderson & Marwaha, 2002, pp. 40-45; Localio, Lawthers, Brennan et al., 1991, pp. 245-251). In the United Kingdom, there have been no apparent clues regarding its prevalence although an investigation was conducted representing an initial attempt to quantify the extent and magnitude of the dilemma (Vincent, Neale & Woloshynowych, 2001, pp. 517-519). In the United States, field professionals assert that the tort system is not adequate in preventing medical mistakes because the average time to resolve cases purportedly takes 44 months (Palter, 2003). Based on a study, annual deaths caused by medical mistakes have reached 98,000 in United States hospitals (Kohn, Corrigan & Donaldson, 2000). While the statistics reaped so much attention, it was not the very first investigation conducted by the medical community of its errors. Since 1990, numerous studies have dissected and analysed medical mistakes. Interestingly, the publication of these researches denoted an enlightening departure from the conventional secrecy surrounding errors made by physicians (Brennan, Leape, Laird, et al, 1991, pp. 370-376; Wu, Folkman, McPhee & Lo, 1991, pp. 2089-2094). Apparently, practitioners in the field of medicine have moved towards a path that encourages the methodology of admitting mistakes, both to themselves and to others. Duty of Care/Patient-Doctor Relationship Admitting to a mistake is a physician’s moral duty to his/her patient. The American Medical Association Principles of Medical Ethics states that â€Å"A physician shall . . . be honest in all professional