Letters to the Editor

Malpractice is more than a claim

It is disappointing that the ACP InternistWeekly headline “Most doctors sued for malpractice never pay a claim” [Aug. 23 edition] is similar to that of the AP report on the excellent New England Journal of Medicine article on malpractice claims in the U.S. The headline should read “Most U.S. physicians sued during their careers!” The headline as stated spins it as a non-problem since few claims are paid.

Have you ever been sued? I have. For seven years the case hung over my head and my family, until it was dismissed. This is an extreme disservice to practicing physicians.

James E. Ramage Jr., MD, FACP
Savannah, Ga.