In Why Patients Sue Doctors 2e the authors draw on their wide-ranging, collective experience in over 1000 real-life medicolegal cases to explore why and how doctors make mistakes. By analysing and discussing the situations and behaviours that lead to complaints by patients and their families, this book provides clear and practical direction for practitioners to improve clinical care and avoid litigation. Written in a concise and engaging narrative writing style by editors Duncan Graham, Bernard Kelly and David Richards, readers will obtain a broad understanding of the origins, workings and outcomes of medicolegal cases and will be equipped with practical strategies to improve clinical care and avoid common pitfalls in practice. The text also introduces important legal concepts in an approachable manner appropriate for those working in medicine.

IntroductionEthical issuesPost-traumatic stress disorderDeliriumFamily dynamicsCerebral palsyToxoplasmosisPostnatal depressionRestraintSyncopeVisual disturbanceThings may not be as they seemHeadacheMechanism of strokeA pharmacological nightmareSteroid toxicitySagging lipTongue cancerChildhood cancerNeck painShoulder painUnexplained feverPersistently unwellMother knows bestNecrotising fasciitis Sore wristIngestion of a caustic solutionHaemoptysisAsthma during pregnancyDyspnoeaPalpitationsIschaemic heart diseaseChest painToo many cooksBreast lumpsA number of health concernsA sick infantAn avoidable tragedyObesityAbdominal painUnexplained weight lossRectal bleedingMissed periodAn obstetric abnormalityPlacenta percretaPelvic organ prolapseA mesh by another nameFailed hip replacementCauda equina syndromeBladder cancerPenile cancerLeg weaknessLacerated footTypes of mistakesListening and learningThinking and reasoningProfessionalism and insightLessons for doctors and othersFurther readingAbbreviationsIndex