Common Problems - Managing the risks in general practice
Last updated: January 2010
This booklet was produced with doctors in the early years of general practice in mind. It is intended to offer general guidance to help them circumvent the commonest pitfalls encountered in everyday practice. MPS members are always welcome to telephone our medicolegal advice line for more specific practical advice and support.
Introduction
At the turn of the last century, the Italian economist Pareto observed that 90% of the wealth of his country was owned by 10% of the population. “Pareto analysis” applied to industrial environments has shown that 80% of errors arise from only about 20% of causes. This concept can also be applied to medical mishaps – most incidents leading to medicolegal problems fall into one of the following categories:
- Failure to appreciate legal and professional responsibilities
- Problems in clinical management
- Medication errors
- Administrative errors
- Failure of communication, including inadequate medical records.
In this booklet
- Understanding your legal responsibilities
- Consent
- Patients who lack capacity
- Children and young people
- Advance directives
- Confidentiality
- Computerised and electronic records
- Problems in clinical management
- Medication errors
- Prescribing for children
- Administrative procedures
- Failures of communication
- Recording essential information
- Communication between specialties
- If things go wrong
- References
- Appendix 1
- Appendix 2