Medical practitioners are surprised when their performance is called into question. Many have a feeling of invincibility based on a lifetime of accumulated educational and professional successes.
The public add to this assumption by placing complete faith in their selected practitioner — until some misadventure occurs. Then the blame game starts.
When defending a claim, it is unreasonable to expect defence counsel to be cognisant of international medical literature concerning the condition in dispute. The defendant doctor should make it their job to amass expert opinion so lawyers can filter and present appropriately.
MJA INSIGHT Aug. 1. 2011
