Some German friends expressed that ‘doctors are weird’ here and I didn’t really get why, or unsure if this was a culturally accepted notion. Is it linked to little accountability?
A friend who is a lawyer in Berlin had her advanced facial cancer missed multiple times and then was finally treated by an oncologist, almost losing her eye and by then was too tired from chemo and surgery to push a case. Another friend’s parent had an instrument left inside him and yet didn’t sue. Hospitals don’t have patients protection charters on their sites or independent bodies to govern the sector it seems.
What happens to patients and doctors when malpractice happens? Is the health insurance supposed to take action? Does compensation happen? I was also told people call the police (?) when unconsented operations occur.
I read there is no central registry recording when doctors are unlawful and also very, very few victims get justice. In the UK, the health service is run to serve the public, yet in Germany there is this feeling of private shops where anything (random homeopathy, acupuncture) sits alongside serious medical science? Can anyone explain from the inside, would be curious especially on how Germans confront/complain about negligence.
Then there is also this…
https://www.cjr.org/special_report/heiko-jessen-germany-me-too.php/
4 comments
I can‘t really say anything about your questions but to the linked story: the doctor is in the right. He has not yet been found guilty. Thank god for our legal system stopping false accusations and canceling people/destroying ther reputation over (possibly) false allegations!
Doctors can both be sued and be charged for criminal malpractice, that’s what courts are for. And yes, if found guilty or at fault, the state can revoke their license and they never can practice again.
Patients who suffer because of medical malpractice or negligence can sue and receive a reasonable amount of compensation (we don’t really do millions in emotional damages over here). That’s why doctors have malpractice insurance.
I’m coming from the other side here and can assure you, doctors can be held accountablr quite easily when we actually do mess up. That’s why half to two-thirds of the time in service is doing paperwork. The training is very stressed on legal consequences of actions.
And insurance for malpractice is not only obligatory for the job, but also expensive.
Ah ok apologies. There is already a very active thread in the Berlin forum here with a number of Redditors saying they were affected by this individual
https://www.reddit.com/r/berlin/comments/l3wci1/the_doctor_vs_metoo_how_an_hiv_specialist_in/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share