Lawsuits drive specialists out

RISING litigation cases against doctors in the private sector was seeing a decline in specialists in the industry, according to an article published in the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ). In response to the heavy legal costs due to claims against them by patients, specialists such as obstetricians and gynaecologists were resorting to leaving the private sector, the SAMJ reported. Although some cases may be genuine, often patients sought financial gain from incidents that had no evidence, resulting in doctors incurring huge costs and time expenses defending actions in court, the publication reported in its January issue. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has previously claimed he was aware of syndicates operating from hospitals who work with “mercenary lawyers”, according to the article. The article went on to explain that because of this phenomenon, the private sector could be facing a lack of specialists in five or six years. “Specialists will either change professions or go to greener pastures overseas. Many may just go to the public sector,” said Chris Bateman from the Health and Medical Publishing Group and news editor of the SAMJ.