Defense Against Defensive Medicine: Dr. Loren Borud Gives Insights Into Present Medical Practices

Many doctors in the United States have complained how they have become victims of frivolous lawsuits from impulsive jury awards. Dr. Loren Borud reveals in his new book, “Plastikonomics: What I Learned as a Harvard Plastic Surgeon”, how this spate of malpractice suits have turned against the very people it assumes to protect: the patients.

Escalating malpractice premiums no doubt create an unfriendly climate for physicians and plastic surgeons, leaving them with virtually no choice but to practice defensive medicine. In the simplest terms, defensive medicine happens when doctors order unwarranted tests, procedures, and consults not with the goal of treating the patient but to shield themselves from the lawsuit mafia. This translates to millions lost every year to unnecessary charges, says Dr. Loren Borud.

And in this litigious culture, the patients have to suffer soaring charges, and the doctors have to contend with a discouraging environment. Meanwhile, medical resources are increasingly scarce, and critically ill patients have to wait in turn with the others who only have a bump in the head.

These and other prevailing medical practices are revealed in Dr. Borud’s new book, Plastikonomics.