Choosing Wisely: Law’s Contribution as a Cause of and a Cure for Unwise Health Care Choices

Ries, N

Choosing Wisely: Law’s Contribution as a Cause of and a Cure for Unwise Health Care Choices

Ries, N

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Publisher:: Thomson Reuters
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Law and Medicine, 2017, 25, (1), pp. 210-228
Issue Date:: 2017-10-16

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ries, N https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5264-6722
dc.date.accessioned	2021-02-18T01:13:12Z
dc.date.available	2021-02-18T01:13:12Z
dc.date.issued	2017-10-16
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Law and Medicine, 2017, 25, (1), pp. 210-228
dc.identifier.issn	1320-159X
dc.identifier.issn	1556-5068
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146190
dc.description.abstract	The provision of unnecessary health care is a serious problem in Australia and involves two key legal issues. First, doctors’ fear of litigation drives defensive practices – ordering tests and procedures, making referrals, and prescribing drugs to reduce perceived legal risks, rather than to advance patient care. Second, suboptimal communication and decision-making processes undermine a patient’s right to make informed health care choices. This article critically analyses these problems and proposes solutions. An extensive body of medico-legal literature is synthesised to highlight the gaps between legal requirements and what happens in practice. Negligence case law is discussed to clarify legal principles and shows that courts discourage defensive practice. Finally, the article presents practical strategies to enhance communication and shared decision-making in the clinical encounter.
dc.format	Print
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Thomson Reuters
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Law and Medicine
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.2139/ssrn.2992449
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences, 18 Law and Legal Studies, 22 Philosophy and Religious Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Choice Behavior
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Rights
dc.subject.mesh	Informed Consent
dc.subject.mesh	Malpractice
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery of Health Care
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Australia
dc.subject.mesh	Choice Behavior
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery of Health Care
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Informed Consent
dc.subject.mesh	Malpractice
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Rights
dc.title	Choosing Wisely: Law’s Contribution as a Cause of and a Cure for Unwise Health Care Choices
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	25
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1801 Law
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
utslib.for	18 Law and Legal Studies
utslib.for	22 Philosophy and Religious Studies
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Law
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - HJ - Health Justice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.date.updated	2021-02-18T01:13:05Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	25
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

The provision of unnecessary health care is a serious problem in Australia and involves two key legal issues. First, doctors’ fear of litigation drives defensive practices – ordering tests and procedures, making referrals, and prescribing drugs to reduce perceived legal risks, rather than to advance patient care. Second, suboptimal communication and decision-making processes undermine a patient’s right to make informed health care choices. This article critically analyses these problems and proposes solutions. An extensive body of medico-legal literature is synthesised to highlight the gaps between legal requirements and what happens in practice. Negligence case law is discussed to clarify legal principles and shows that courts discourage defensive practice. Finally, the article presents practical strategies to enhance communication and shared decision-making in the clinical encounter.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/146190