Letter: Patients should look in mirror

Wednesday, June 11, 2003 | 8:58 a.m.

I think it would be beneficial if we all looked at Webster's dictionary definition of the word malpractice.

Webster's defines it as "the dereliction of professional duty, as by a physician or lawyer, through reprehensible ignorance or negligence or through criminal intent." Malpractice is not when the doctor has given the highest standard of care to the patient, and still injury or loss results.

Our society seems to believe that doctors are superhumans and should always have 100 percent success rate with everything they do. Every and any surgery has its risks, no matter how advanced the technology or how educated the doctor. But somehow we've forgotten that, or choose to ignore that fact, and proceed to sue the doctor if we are upset with the outcome.

Do I believe there are subpar doctors out there? Yes. Do I believe in certain instances a patient should be sufficiently compensated for unnecessary injury or loss? Yes.

But I also believe we need to police not just the doctors, but the patients as well. We need patients to ask themselves if they are suing because the resulting injury or loss was truly due to malpractice, or are they suing because they just aren't happy with the outcome.

AMY LUND