Ophthalmology
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A failure to diagnose was the basis for most of a series of 35 malpractice suits filed against ophthalmologists and other physicians. All of these cases presented problems in neuro-ophthalmologic diagnosis. Selected summaries illustrate typical diagnostic pitfalls. "Creative" consultation reports may be one effective prophylactic measure against such legal actions.
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The so-called malpractice crisis of the mid-1970s alerted physicians to the need for legislative involvement in order to achieve needed malpractice tort reform. There has been a positive effort to modify the medical liability situation in each of our 50 states. ⋯ It is anticipated that a new malpractice crisis may develop during the early 1980s. Actuarial data now being collected plus the effects of such innovations as arbitration, pretrial screening panels, collateral source rules, and periodic funding of malpractice claims may provide an equitable approach to any future malpractice tort reform.