Being a doctor, you dedicate your entire life to healing others. Throughout your career, you face challenges that require not just medical competence but also the ability to cope with emotional trauma. Yet, amidst the noble pursuit of saving lives, one thing you may have never considered or overlooked is your own safety.
What is doctor's safety?
Doctor safety refers to protocols and measures that support the physical, emotional, and professional well-being of medical professionals. While many perceive safety as limited to the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to hygiene protocols, it encompasses more. The term 'safety' also includes actions to mitigate workplace violence, infectious diseases, and ergonomic hazards.
Key areas of risk for doctors
In the medical profession, you face multiple risks that can harm your reputation or pose significant financial challenges. Here are some:
- Medical negligence: As a doctor, a single diagnostic error, surgical mistake, or incorrect prescription is perceived as medical negligence, even if you acted in good faith. This can result in legal compensation and also damage your reputation.
- Data breaches: As a healthcare professional, you handle sensitive personal health information regularly. If this information is leaked due to a weak electronic health record system, outdated software, or accidental exposure, you may face serious consequences under data protection laws.
- Miscommunication: When you fail to explain a diagnosis, procedure, side effects, or recovery expectations in a way that your patient fully understands, it can lead to confusion, dissatisfaction, or even legal action.
- Poor infection control: Improper sterilisation of instruments, reusing single-use items, or failing to follow hand hygiene protocols can lead to hospital-acquired infections. If your patient contracts such an infection, you may face disciplinary action or litigation.
- Lack of consent: Before any surgical procedure or risky treatment, you are required to obtain informed consent. If you skip this step or if the consent form is vague, you expose yourself to serious legal risks.
Importance of Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance is recommended to doctors because of the following coverage benefits it offers:
- If in court, a patient or their family proves that the physical injury or medical condition the patient sustained was due to your medical negligence, the insurer will pay compensation.
- If a patient or their family files a defamation suit against you, claiming that disclosure of their sensitive medical information damages their dignity, the insurer will handle such non-clinical claims.
- If you retire from practice or move to another country or state, there's still a chance a patient may file a legal complaint years later regarding past treatment. Your policy will cover such incidents under 'retroactive cover.’
Conclusion
In the demanding medical profession, prioritising the safety of a doctor is paramount. From following rigorous safety protocols to relying on the protective shield of professional indemnity insurance, safeguarding yourself as a doctor ensures not only your physical well-being but also protects you from legal and professional risks.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. Please read the sales brochure / policy wordings carefully for detailed information about on risk factors, terms, conditions and exclusions. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.