A descriptive study of medical malpractice cases in Turkey

BACKGROUND: Medical malpractice claims in Turkey have increased. We evaluated the problem by describing medical malpractice cases assessed by the Higher Health Council between 1993 and 1998. Our recommendations should help to improve care and decrease medical malpractice claims. METHODS: We reviewed 997 medical malpractice cases reported to the Higher Health Council between 1993 and 1998 and examined the decisions made by the Higher Health Council. We collected data on demographic characteristics, such as the type of the institution where the defendants worked, type of medical malpractice, and medical outcome. RESULTS: There were 997 medical malpractice cases reported to the Higher Health Council in the six years between 1993 and 1998. The Higher Health Council decided that 47.7% of the physicians were liable. Malpractice cases were mostly seen in state hospitals (42.4%). Fifty-nine percent of the cases resulted in death. Among actions that led to malpractice lawsuits against all health care workers, including physicians, the most common were negligence, inappropriate treatment, and diagnostic failure. CONCLUSION: We think it is necessary to revise the health system and working conditions in hospitals and to develop clinical practice guidelines. We are of the opinion that an emphasis on the use of diagnosis and therapy protocols, standards, post-graduation education, clear and informed patient consent, and improved communication with patients will drastically decrease medical malpractice claims.