How patient autonomy drives the legal liabilities of medical practitioners and the practical ways to mitigate and resolve them

Abstract

This paper discusses the rapidly evolving healthcare risk landscape and considers how emerging trends—such as advancement of medical technology, cyber security, pandemic risks, increasing prevalence of noncommunicable health conditions, and the shift towards patient autonomy—are shaping the nature of liabilities faced by doctors and healthcare professionals. Then it discusses practical ways to mitigate clinical risks and resolve the medico-legal claims or inquiries that arise while addressing the role that indemnity providers should play.