How COVID-19 Brought New Medical Malpractice Risks

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, precautions had been taken to prevent further spread of the virus. Some industries had to adapt and transition their operations online due to the need to minimize physical contact. But among these industries, the healthcare sector showed potential in such a setting with the rising trend of telehealth consultations in light of COVID-19’s emergence.

While healthcare facilities still operated face-to-face at the time, online medical consultations were considered by those who preferred to stay at home. This trend proved to benefit both doctors and patients alike. However, online medical consultations have their limitations such as lack of immediate updates on vital signs. Doctors don’t have the full picture on a patient’s condition, leading to medical malpractice risks. Here’s how the pandemic added to those possibilities.

Telehealth Consultation Risks

Because of the pandemic, patients relied on the trend of online medical consultations. While these reduced the possibility of getting the virus, it also had the risk of not getting a complete check-up.

The doctor on call won’t have the ability to read current vitals. Meanwhile, patients can only rely on test results they have to help the doctor determine their condition. Though doctors do their best to assess the patient through the results, there’s still the possibility of complications due to the inability to gauge a patient’s health at that very moment.

The chance to make mistakes on diagnoses and recommendations are real. This is detrimental to both an individual’s health and the ability of a doctor to keep practicing. Doctors should be able to protect themselves and be responsible for damages dealt to a patient, but how?

Getting Medical Malpractice Insurance

Doctors can protect themselves and their patients easier by getting medical malpractice insurance. Most people are unaware of how often medical errors occur, especially now with limitations involved in online appointments. A wrong advisory is enough grounds for a patient to take the issue to court and sue a doctor for negligence. That is why in order to avoid huge repercussions, coverage from insurance is a safety net every medical practitioner must have.

This isn’t to say that online medical consultations should not be a thing. They are still beneficial for both doctors and patients especially with COVID-19 not ending anytime soon. But without any assurance, doctors are left unprotected from the cost of legal fees related to malpractice or negligence claims. So if you’re a physician, secure your future in the medical field with the aid of a recognized non-life insurance company in the Philippines today.

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