MEDICINE AND THE LAW

The leading causes of medicolegal claims and possible solutions

L Prinsen, LLD Senior lecturer, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

author: L Prinsen (prinsenl@ufs.ac.za)

Medicolegal claims in the South African health sector have markedly increased since about 2007. This is of importance, because money spent  on  these  claims  from  the  public  health  budget  is  money  that  should  have  been  spent  on  the  healthcare  priorities  identified  in  the  National  Department  of  Health  (NDoH)  Strategic  Plan.  We  need  to  understand  why  these  claims  have  increased  so  drastically.  

This  article  discusses  the  causes  of  increased  claims,  which  include  clinical  errors,  maladministration  and  mismanagement;  the  legal  profession’s contribution to the problem; legal developments; patient awareness; and some other additional causes. 

Possible solutions are also offered, such as those related to the NDoH National Core Standards and Ideal Clinic initiative to improve quality of care standards; improving the healthcare system and quality of care; better distinguishing between valid and invalid or fraudulent claims; the possible role of fit-for-purpose legislation; and a reconsideration of compensation methods.

S Afr Med J 2023;113(4):e134. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i4.134

https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/134/422