Medical practice and professional liabilities in Bijapur region of Karnataka

The present study that is Medical Practice and Professional Liabilities in Bijapur Region of Karnataka was carried out in the northern part of Karnataka, details of the cases are collected from the district consumer forum Bijapur between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2009 (15 years). In each case, complaint of the complainant and response to a complaint by the opponent is studied and analyzed. Date of filing and date of judgment is noted in each case. If needed complainant and opponent were consulted personally for details about the case. The most common cause for litigation was found to be misguided allegation; this can be prevented by proper communication to the patient at first consultation. Hence, it is important to spend more time at first consultation. It is the utmost importance that professional liability claims should be avoided. The lawsuits not only have heavy emotional toll on doctors and patients but on the society as a whole.