I’ll admit it. I’ve been sued for malpractice.
I’m not going to go into the details of the case, but I’ll tell you this: It is absolutely the worst feeling you will ever have as a doctor.
Like most doctors, I try very hard to do my best for patients. I believe in "do no harm." I believe that my patient care decisions are guided by my belief in what’s best for them. Not what’s more convenient, or more financially lucrative, for me. Yet, I still got sued.
What’s amazing to me is how many doctors still believe it can’t happen to them, or that only the truly incompetent (whatever that means) get sued.
It hurts more than you could ever believe. It puts your life on hold. It adds a whole new burden to the huge weight you normally carry from day to day.
It even affects your family. You lie awake at night. Your hairs get grayer, or jump off entirely. You have many sleepless nights, trying to find a way to go on for your family and the patients who still need you.
You worry about rumors you’ve heard. That they can take your house, cars, and all belongings. That they can come to your house and pick out whatever items (including pets) they want. You realize why medical professionals have the highest rate of suicide, drug abuse, and alcoholism.
You question your own skills. Now, every patient you see needs a big-time work-up. Every patient with carpal tunnel syndrome needs a brain and cervical spine MRI "just to cover the bases."
Whether you win or lose, it devastates you as a person, and can kill the person deep inside who once celebrated getting a medical school admission letter.