On Doctors and Apologies

Check this out, faithful(?) readers.

This highlights an issue plaguing our medical system that I've been wondering about for some time now. Malpractice suits are just through the roof nowadays, which makes it tough for some doctors to keep their practice going, due to insurance costs. (As an aside, isn't it interesting how most of America 'works', but doctors and lawyers 'practice'?) Apparently, even an apology is grounds for a suit.

Now, I understand if a surgeon accidentally sews his keys up in you, or maybe sets your liver on fire. By all means, he should be better than that. It's just the little things that people seem to hang on to; if a family member dies, they immediately think the doctor did something, complications after surgery that are unavoidable.

As far as that link goes, I guess it's good that a doctor can apologize now without immediately being sued. That's a step in the right direction, but I for one wish it was a step we didn't have to take. Lawsuits, lawsuits everywhere. It's like America's favorite 'get rich quick' scheme. Don't you think things are getting a little out of hand if people can't even apologize any more?