Cross Sectional Study of Medical Negligence Cases in Delhi State

Abstract

Medical negligence is fairly common and cases of negligence are on the rise in USA, UK, Canada, Australia and India. To make complaints of medical negligence against Doctors and hospitals, aggrieved patients approach a host of authorities like the IMA, DMA, DHS, MOH&FW, Delhi Police, Consumer Courts, MCI, DMC and other State Medical Councils. Most authorities are required to send the cases to the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) to decide whether there is an element of medical negligence or not. Accordingly, the DMC can punish a Doctor by issuing a warning, censure, stricture or removal of name from medical register (forr a variable period) if medical negligence is found. This paper's objective was to study the trend of medical negligence cases, the medical specialities involved and the punishments handed out to erring Doctors in such cases in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.