5 th Annual Medico Legal Review - 2013 held on 9th February

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Sudden rise in allegations of misconduct in transferring patients, Expert medical opinion no longer sacrosanct in courts, Anesthetists increasingly pulled in courts

Mumbai, Maharashtra, February 13, 2013 - (PressReleasePoint) - Institute of Medicine & Law in association with Wolters Kluwer Health | Medknow has held the 5^th Annual Medico Legal Review for the year 2013 on 9th February. The first of its kind programme in India, it has evaluated and analyzed the developments that have occurred in the medico-legal field in India.
Catering to doctors who value their practice and seek to be on the right side of the law, this exercise has examined the changes that have taken place in 2012, besides envisioning the future of medico legal issues, both at the macro and micro levels. This review is a result of systematic analysis of the judgments from various Indian courts of the past 5 years that are collected, collated and published by the Institute of Medicine & Law in its premier monthly law reporter for doctors ‘Medical Law Cases – For Doctors’.
“Law is dynamic. Every single judgment passed each day has the potential to amend the existing laws. While these changes impact everyone, it has a wider implication for doctors. With the exponential rise in medico legal cases and ignorance of law not being a valid defense, doctors need to be abreast of changes in medical laws,” said Adv Mahendrakumar Bajpai, the key note speaker at the programme.
A few general but important trends observed last year were discussed. Improper consent and improper medical records continued to remain on top as issue of concern. Gynecologists followed by intensivists and then orthopaedic surgeons were the worst effected. Pathology laboratories, diagnostic centers and anesthetists were being increasingly targeted. 
The issues effecting doctors and hospitals where significant changes were observed last year were also discussed. There was a sudden, unexplained, exponential rise, about 300% increase, in cases relating to transfer of patients. Cases relating to fees, history of patient, advising investigations, communication with patients have increased. Issues relating to confidentiality of patient related information is slowly gaining momentum. Cases relating to blood transfusion, advertisement by doctors / hospitals, rejection of insurance claims by insurance companies are increasing. No significant increase was observed where police is involved.
The prominent trends on procedural issues observed last year were  were that courts are becoming stricter on technical issues, ‘Res ipsa Loquitor’ remains confusing for trial lawyers, medical / expert opinion is no longer sacrosanct in courts, and information downloaded from the internet is gaining acceptance in courts.
About Institute of Medicine & Law:
Institute of Medicine & Law (IML) collects, interprets, organizes and provides information on medical laws for doctors and lawyers in India, besides delivering people, products and processes that facilitate legal compliance. IML specializes in providing information that is accurate and actionable.
IML has a team of 23 advocates spread across India, who continuously report on the latest developments in medical laws from the courts as well as from the society. IML’s proprietary ‘Medical Law Knowledge Bank’ is systematically and continuously updated, week after week, with these reports. Today, in India, IML possesses the best resources in terms of professionals, information and knowledge on medical laws and these are optimally utilized in providing medico legal services to lawyers, doctors and patients.
IML provides complete solutions in medical laws for the practicing medical professionals. ‘Medical Law Cases – For Doctors”, a monthly law reporter published by IML, reports changes in law relevant to doctors in simple non legal language. ‘Medico Legal Helpline’ and ‘Medico Legal Alerts’ are the other notable services offered by IML. Indian Orthopaedic Association (National), Tamil Nadu State Indian Medical Association, College of General Physicians – IMA have organized programs of IML for their member-doctors.
About Wolters Kluwer Health | Medknow:
Wolters Kluwer, a market-leading global information services company has over 19,000 employees worldwide, and maintains operations in over 40 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America with 2011 annual revenues of $4.7 billion.
Wolters Kluwer Health, part of Wolters Kluwer, is a leading global provider of information, business intelligence and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry. Serving more than 150 countries and territories worldwide, Wolters Kluwer Health’s customers include professionals, institutions and students in medicine, nursing, allied health and pharmacy.
Medknow, part of Wolters Kluwer Health, in partnership with over 203 notable medical societies and associations, publishes over 235 science, technical and medical journals available for global consumption. Medknow’s journal portfolio represents nearly 20 countries with a focus in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, among other regions.