Should I Accept an Expert Witness Offer?
- Vein Expert Witness
- May 3, 2020
- 1 min read
An interesting concise article written by The Hospitalist in their ASK Dr. Hospitalist. (Link below.)
I myself have contemplated this question. I like many individuals working in the medical malpractice system recognize the system is not perfect. But contemplation of "the system" will be a blog topic for another day.
Let me skip all the fluff and get to my personal opinion.
Being a medical expert is not an easy endeavor or an easy task for many. But for me regardless of the grueling hours of work, the frustration with the system, and the added stress involved, knowing that I am working towards defending another physician who followed the standard of care or trying help a patient who was injured due to negligence makes it all worth it.
I try to show the human side to the legal team that I work with and maybe even help shed light on the situation which is not written in medical records.
To me, this task is no different than having aspiring medical students rotate with me to learn about vein disease. It takes an excess amount of my time and energy to answer their questions and to correct their mistakes. However being able teach them as my mentors have taught me along the way gives me confidence that I am helping the next generation of practicing physicians. After all, some of them will be treating me when I am older.
Similar to teaching medical students, being a medical expert witness is a duty as well as an honor for me to make a difference and give something back.
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