A descriptive study of medical malpractice cases in Turkey.

Abstract

Background: Medical malpractice claims in Turkey have increased. We evaluated the problem by describing medical malpractice cases as-sessed by the Higher Health Council between 1993 and 1998. Our recom-mendations should help to improve care and decrease medical malprac-tice claims. Methods: We reviewed 997 medical malpractice cases reported to the Higher Health Council between 1993 and 1998 and examined the deci-sions made by the Higher Health Council. We collected data on demo-graphic characteristics, such as the type of the institution where the defendants worked, type of medical malpractice, and medical outcome. Results: There 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 physi-cians, the most common were negligence, inappropriate treatment, and diagnostic failure. Conclusion: We think it is necessary to revise the health system and working conditions in hospitals and to develop clinical practice guide-lines. 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.