These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Physicians' liability in ophthalmology practice.
    Author: Mavroforou A, Michalodimitrakis E.
    Journal: Acta Ophthalmol Scand; 2003 Aug; 81(4):321-5. PubMed ID: 12859256.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: The aims of this paper are to point out the importance of coherence in established guidelines in daily practice, highlight the value of signed patient informed consent forms and stress the value of a good understanding of the law, while focusing on issues related to malpractice in ophthalmology. METHODS: Search of the current relevant literature. RESULTS: The most common causes of medical litigation in ophthalmology are related to LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, glaucoma care, radial keratotomy for myopia reduction and failure to diagnose binocular vision anomalies in children and adults in a timely fashion. The litigation raised in most cases is driven by unfavourable outcomes and not by malpractice. CONCLUSION: Maintenance of high standards in daily practice, with continuous training and clear communication along with the appropriate documentation of any procedure carried out, may improve the professional safety of practising eye specialists in the event of medical litigation. Although the use of patient informed consent varies substantially among European countries, it may serve as useful evidence in the physician's defence.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]