Lethal Medicine: The Epidemic of Medical Malpractice in America

Wachsman, a neurosurgeon, lawyer and coauthor of The American Law of Medical Malpractice , and New York City public relations executive Alschuler argue that medical negligence, incompetence and fraud cause tens of thousands of deaths and injuries each year--and that most of them are never revealed. In forceful, explicit terms, the authors cite many appalling cases of malpractice documented by government and university studies. What is to be done? The AMA must better police its members, stress the authors, and the courts must enforce existing laws of ``reasonable care and diligence'' and ``proximate cause.'' Wachsman and Alschuler also urge state health agencies to discipline delinquent doctors who are reported by insurance companies. Tort reform and continuing physician education are crucial as well. The authors' concluding advice in this timely, instructive alert is for lay people, who must become careful health care consumers: investigate the backgrounds of their doctors, be familiar with their own medical histories and question every diagnosis. (Nov.)