A descriptive study of medical malpractice cases in Turkey

Abstract

BACKGROUNDMedical malpractice claims in Turkey have increased. We evaluated the problem by describing medical malpractice cases assessed by the Higher Health Council between 1993 and 1998. Our recommendations should help to improve care and decrease medical malpractice claims.METHODSWe reviewed 997 medical malpractice cases reported to the Higher Health Council between 1993 and 1998 and examined the decisions made by the Higher Health Council. We collected data on demographic characteristics, such as the type of the institution where the defendants worked, type of medical malpractice, and medical outcome.RESULTSThere were 997 medical malpractice cases reported to the Higher Health Council in the six years between 1993 and 1998. The Higher Health Council decided that 47.7% of the physicians were liable. Malpractice cases were mostly seen in state hospitals (42.4%). Fifty-nine percent of the cases resulted in death. Among actions that led to malpractice lawsuits against all health care workers, including physicians, the most common were negligence, inappropriate treatment, and diagnostic failure.CONCLUSIONWe think it is necessary to revise the health system and working conditions in hospitals and to develop clinical practice guidelines. We are of the opinion that an emphasis on the use of diagnosis and therapy protocols, standards, post-graduation education, clear and informed patient consent, and improved communication with patients will drastically decrease medical malpractice claims.

Medical malpractice in Iran: A systematic review

“…Defensive medicine also causes induced demand and imposes additional costs on patients (52,53). Therefore, it is advisable to investigate complaints in preliminary commissions before referring to jurisdictions, and if necessary, summon the physician (54).…”

Awareness of professional rules among Iranian nurses: a cross-sectional study

“…In this study, 18% of the nurses had a history of complaints on the part of the patients. International reports indicate an ascending trend of complaints from health professional, especially nurses in various countries, which has resulted in various legal problems [9–11]. Lack of awareness of legal issues and professional rules among medical practitioners is one of the main reasons for the increased number of complaints [13].…”

“…These errors are not only problematic for the nurses and but also affect the public image of the nursing profession [6–8]. Today, despite the qualitative and quantitative improvements of the healthcare system, the patients’ complaints about nurses and other members of medical teams are increasing and causing different legal complications [3, 9–11]. The number of nurses summoned to the court is increasing everyday [12].…”

Informed Consent and the Dentist

“…A 5 year retrospective survey on dental malpractice claims in Teheran, Iran (Kiani & Sheikhazadi, 2008) found that in 57% of clinical cases, and 40% of non clinical cases, dentists were found to be guilty of malpractice. In a similar study in Turkey, (Gundogmus, Erdogan, Sehiralti, &Kurtas, 2005) 48% of the dentists were liable for malpractice suits which included Online Journal of Health Ethics Vol 8, No 1, April 2012 negligence, inappropriate treatment, and diagnostic failure. In a Riyad study, (Al-Ammar & Guile, 2000) it was found that mistakes during treatment were the most frequent allegation and in 87% of the cases the dentist was found to be the guilty party.…”