Criminal Law Analysis of Iatrogenic Crimes and Practice of Applying the Norms of Criminal Law, Providing Responsibility for their Commission

Abstract

Introduction. Caring for the health of citizens is the most important task of any state, and the article 41 of the Constitution of Russia directly establishes the right of everyone to protection of health and medical care. Despite the noble and humane mission that medical workers are called upon to carry out, helping people and saving their lives, the problem of medical errors (iatrogenic) leading to tragic consequences has clearly indicated its presence recently. The high public danger of such phenomena causes the need for their criminal law assessment. The problems that arise in this case are connected, first of all, with a diverse understanding of the essence of medical errors and iatrogenic crimes, the lack of uniformity in the application of the criminal law establishing liability for their commission. Theoretical Basis. Methods. The article is based on the analysis of Russian and foreign criminal, administrative, civil legislation, court sentences and decisions, scientific publications in Russian and foreign publications. In addition, expert opinions, doctrinal ideas and opinions on the topics of this work were used. In the process of preparing the article, a number of general scientific and private scientific research methods were used. Results. The article discusses issues related to the specifics of the criminal law assessment of acts committed by medical workers in the process of professional activity. The positions of specialists are given regarding the definition of this specific group of crimes, the author’s vision is formulated on the classification of specific socially dangerous acts as “iatrogenic”. The current legislation in the field of health care is examined, which makes it possible to concretize the terminology used in the articles of the Russian Criminal Code providing liability for iatrogenic crimes. The judicial-investigative practice of applying the indicated norms of the criminal law is analyzed, the problems of qualification of such acts are revealed. Discussion and Conclusion. In conclusion, the authors differentiate such concepts as “medical error”, “accident”, “iatrogenic crime”, determine that the deliberate commission of an iatrogenic crime should be assessed either according to the rules on the circumstances that exclude the criminal act, or as a general criminal act; designate a circle of crimes defined as “iatrogenic”; come to the conclusion that the solution to the problem of counteraction to iatrogenic crimes cannot be associated with the intensification or expansion of criminal repression.