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Who Sues Their Doctors? How Patients Handle Medical Grievances

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2024

Marlynn L. May  and
Daniel B. Stengel
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Abstract

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This article applies the dispute processing model developed by Felstiner, Abel, and Sarat (1980–81) to disputing between patients and doctors. We conducted interviews with 240 dissatisfied patients to examine the dispute resolution choices they made in response to unsatisfactory medical experiences. Probit models were constructed for each of five resolution choices, incorporating independent variables derived form the Felstiner et al. conceptual model. These analyses go beyond previous studies of medical malpractice by (a) presenting a comparative analysis of suers and nonsuers, (b) not relying on closed malpractice case data, and (c) presenting the perspective of aggrieved patients.

Type
Research Article
Information
Law & Society Review , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , 1990 , pp. 105 - 120
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 Law and Society Association.

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