Medical malpractice, conditions in medicine that lead to the occurrence of medical error

Abstract

Medical professionals, particularly doctors, are well aware of the significant gap between practicing “ideal” me- dicine, taught over six years of medical education, and the “real” medicine they face in everyday clinical practi- ce. In reality, doctors constantly navigate between these two, as they confront numerous practical limitations, such as budget constraints, time pressures, lack of resources, and often, inefficient management. As a result, doctors are frequently left to shoulder the burden of medical malpractice, even when it stems from systemic issues or poor healthcare management. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, a good doctor must never lose sight of the two defining qualities of the medical profession: its mission and the dedication it de- mands. In this article, we will define medical malpractice and examine some of the most common medical situations that may lead to it. We will explore real-life examples from medical practice where malpractice is more likely to occur, and discuss strategies to prevent it. At the same time, we will analyse the circumstances under which medical malpractice can lead to criminal charges, where a healthcare professional may be held criminally liab- le. Finally, we will highlight the precautionary measures that can help prevent such outcome