Medical Professional Liability and the Delivery of Obstetrical Care

Volume I

This is the first part of an in-depth study focusing on medical liability and its effect on access to and delivery of obstetrical care.

The book addresses such questions as:

Do liability concerns impede the use of new technologies?
Have liability issues affected the physician-patient relationship?
Are community health and maternity centers being harmed?
What specific remedies are being considered and what are their prospects for success?

Cover
Front Matter
1 Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations
2 Maternity Care in the United States
3 The Effects of Medical Professional Liability on the Availability of Obstetrical Providers
4 The Impact of Medical Professional Liability on the Provision of Obstetrical Care to Poor Women and Women Served by Medicaid
5 The Effects of Medical Professional Liability on the Practice of Obstetrics
6 Obstetrical Malpractice Insurance
7 The Legal System: The Committee
8 Principal Findings and Recommendations
Glossary
Bibliography
Appendixes
Appendix A: Summary of Methodology Used in Studies of Changes in Obstetrical Practice
Appendix B: Summary of Study Results Regarding Changes in Obstetrical Practice
Appendix C: Summary of Study Results Regarding Professional Liability, Family Practitioners, and Rural Areas
Appendix D: State and National Liability Surveys Summarized
Appendix E: Survey of Selected Risk Management Activities
Appendix F: Risk Management Activities and Experience Rating Policies of Selected Malpractice Insurers
Appendix G: Possible Modifications to the Virginia Neurological Birth-Related Injury Compensation Act
Members of the Committee
Index