Being a doctor is a risky job? We will be sued by patient!

"Doctor A is sued by the patient due to miscommunication"

"Doctor B is sued because the doctor reveal the patient's condition to other people"

Hmmm...Being a doctor is not that easy. We are at the risk of being sued by the patient. So why do we need bear the risk? Better not! Come, let's change the course now. DROP OUT!

Agree with the last statement? Better don't be a doctor because we are at own risk??

No, DON'T WORRY. We are protected by the LAW!

In Indonesia, there is this law--UU. 29 Tahun 2004, paragraf 6, pasal 50. It is stated that doctors will be protected by the law as long as we perform our job and provide medical service to the patient according to the standard operational procedure and professional standard.

Therefore, we just need to make sure that we always conduct all the procedures according to the standard. Remember the 4R: Do the right thing to the right person at the right place with the right skill.

What are the things that we need to do to minimize the errors?

According to UU.29, paragraf 1, pasal 44:

We MUST follow the standard medical service which is regulated by regulation of minister. In this context,  the "standard medical service" is differentiated by type and strata of health care facilities.

According to UU. 29, paragraf 6, pasal 51, we must:

sarana pelayanan kesehatan. health care facilities.

1) provide medical services in accordance with professional standards and standard operational procedures

operasional serta kebutuhan medis pasien; operational and medical needs of patients

  as well as the patient's medical needs.

2) refer patient to another doctor with better competency and capability when we are not able to perform an examination or not able to give a treatment.

3) patient's medical record is confidential. Therefore, we need to keep it as a secret, even after the patient has died.

4) Give medical help in an emergency case based on humanity, EXCEPT when we are sure that there are other people who are on duty and manage to help.

5) Gain medical knowledge and develop it.

hmmm...when you read "(5) gain medical knowledge", what do you think? Don't be sad. That is our fate. We have to continue studying even after we have graduated or even if we just wish to be a GP only. haha. hey teman-teman, learning is life-long. Never put a fullstop. Enjoy studying,dudes! ;)

Oh yea, keep the 4R in mind: Do the right thing to the right person at the right place with the right skill.AND don't forget to explain every procedures u will do to the patient and the risk of the procedures. MUST get informed consent. DON'T simply answer the patient's question if you are uncertain, eg how long the patient can live. If you wanna tell the patient about the prognosis, u must specify that is only a prognosis and he/she may live longer or shorter than that.

 Reference:
1. http://taradigadingdangdong.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/uu-29-2004-pradok.pdf
2. Prof. Dr. Adi Utarini. Lecture: Quality framework, clinical governance and patient safety.