MANAGING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRESS IN THE CONTEXT OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ACCUSATION

G. Nicola, I. M. Gheorghiu, S. Scarlatescu, F. E. Constantinescu, P. Perlea

Abstract: In recent years, there are more and more allegations of medical malpractice reported in the media, and not rarely they lead to a negative image for the medical personnel involved. This article analyzes the interactions medical personnel may have with media when is accused of malpractice and is intended to offer a model for approaching the relationship with the press in the crisis of an alleged medical error. The most important key factors medical staff need to know are: legal framework applicable to medical practice; the importance of completely and rigorously comply with it; the information that can be provided public without disrespect the patient-doctor confidentiality tenet; basic principles and specific methods of journalism; general elements of a crisis management; principles of a correct positive media approach. Proper and effective management of this kind of situations may contribute to the education both of medical staff and patients in the field of assessment of such situations, thus allowing the avoidance of defensive attitudes of medical practice ('defensive medicine').
Keywords: malpractice accusation, media, crisis situation, management