Medical negligence cases rise by 400 per cent in 10 years

Highlighting the discontent between doctors and patients, a survey done by national law college of Bangalore has found that in the past 10 years, there has been a 400 per cent rise in the number of medical negligence cases filed in consumer’s courts in India. Following this, on the eve of World Patient Safety Day, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has done a survey to find out the reasons behind the growing distrust between patients and doctors.

The study, which was done among 2,400 respondents — 1,200 doctors and 1,200 patients —shows the distrust that has developed between them. Doctors blamed patients’ unjustified expectations from medical experts to cure every patient even if the patient is critical.

Around 30 per cent of the surveyed doctors felt that relatives of the patients feel it is the doctor’s obligation to make cure patients 100 per cent as they pay for the medical expenses. On the other hand, a majority 40 per cent of the patients surveyed, felt that doctors have become more negligent in providing treatment to patients. However, 30 per cent conceded they have over expectations from doctors. 20 per cent patients think as it is easy to file a case at the consumer court they file it.

Commenting on the survey, Dr Sagar Mundada, president of MARD, said, “Both the groups are right from their own perspectives. There has been growing distrust and confusion between patients and doctors. This has increased further due to the corporate hospitals where the relation between doctors and patients have changed into consumer-service provider relationship.”

After doctors were assaulted at KEM hospital, the state government promised Mard it would instal the remaining CCTV cameras before October 31 but so far only 10 cameras are functioning.