Sued doctors 'depressed and suicidal'

Doctors and medical workers nationwide are feeling increasingly depressed and suicidal after receiving lawsuits for medical malpractice, according to the Medical Council.

President Dr Somsak Lohlekha said many doctors who were being sued faced serious health problems such as haemorrhagic gastritis and heart attacks. Some were suffering from depression and felt dissociated from their communities and social context, while others had even committed suicide.

Many doctors had changed their careers to avoid lawsuits, he added.

Others only treat outpatients and will not treat inpatients with complicated symptoms. Some tell their children not to study to become a doctor.

Somsak said obstetricians would also be at risk of lawsuits from pregnant women with childbirth complications under the provisions of the National Health Security Bill.

Citing recent Public Health Ministry records, about 75 medical malpractice cases are filed annually against doctors, while the Medical Council's records from 1991 to 2007 show that about 2,880 doctors have been the subject of complaints.

"Most doctors, especially in rural areas, will not provide treatment to certain patients as a safeguard against possible malpractice liability because they fear receiving a lawsuit," said Dr Samphan Komrit, the Medical Council's deputy secretary-general.

"Most doctors lack knowledge about the process to handle the problem and do not have a legal adviser."

He said the Medical Council was planning to set up doctor clubs across the country in a bid to resolve conflicts between doctors and patients.

The clubs will guide doctors on negotiating with patients and the legal process after receiving a lawsuit.

As the recently imposed 2008 Procedural Act for Consumer Protection Cases will affect doctors, the clubs will also provide doctors with legal training so that they are in a better position to resolve problems by themselves.

The clubs' members will include state- and private-hospital doctors. They will take responsibility for developing medical skills and controlling the standards of medical practice in local areas. This will benefit both doctors and patients, Samphan added.