The purpose of this study was to determine clinical and radiographic differences between post-MVA and nontrauma TMD patients and to determine whether radiographic findings in post-MVA patients undergoing litigation show more severe anatomical changes than post-MVA patients not undergoing litigation.
5 6 7 The ancillary costs from time off work, reduced health related quality of life, dissatisfaction in patients, and litigation costs for the healthcare provider have been explored less extensively, but the little evidence available confirms a detrimental effect.
Patients presenting other concomitant diseases with severely impaired physical or functional capacity, rheumatic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases with poor aerobic capacity, uncontrolled psychiatric diseases, patients involved in litigation process, and patients included in any other clinical trial were excluded from the study.
Exclusion criteria included: patients presenting other concomitant diseases with severely impaired physical or functional capacity, rheumatic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases with poor aerobic capacity, uncontrolled psychiatric diseases, patients involved in litigation processes, and patients included in any other clinical trial.
Unprofessional behaviors have also been associated with patient complaints and litigation [ 12].
Using data from actual malpractice lawsuits in different contexts and clinical areas, both studies demonstrate that over and above the importance of good communication, the inability to involve patients in decision-making and to consider their concerns and preferences can incite patients to commence litigation.
Competition for patients, fear of litigation and common sense should motivate clinicians to speak in plain, jargon-free terms to patients and their families.
"It takes discovery to prove violations of the federal regulations," said Neil Overholtz, a lawyer in Pensacola, Fla., who represents patients in device litigation.
Four studies excluded patients with unresolved litigation.
Good doctor-patient communication makes Thai patients satisfied, while poor communication can lead to increasing litigation by patients against doctors [ 20].
NYC Health & Hospitals would not comment on the case because of pending litigation and patient privacy laws.
