The defensive practice of medicine. Myth or reality.

Serious concern about medical malpractice is evident and the interest in it is increasing. It is not only being discussed in the medical and legal journals, it has also made its way into the popular media. Among the titans of medicine upon whom millions of Americans focus their attention, even Dr. Marcus Welby has had to defend his performance in a malpractice action. Medical malpractice is good theater and none of the television series dealing with medical practice has failed to use it as a subject. Practically every member of the public has been a recipient of medical service, at one time or another, and has been ex­ posed to the risk of poor medical performance. However, to some, medical malpractice is of particular interest. Not only physicians and attorneys, but the insurance industry, hospital administrators, nurses and other health personnel who work closely with the physicians follow the subject, because in most malpractice actions the plaintiff sues his physician in addition to others concerned with his care. The concern of the public and of those particularly involved with malpractice questions has stimulated governmental activ­ ity. In 1969 the Senate Subcommittee on Executive Reorga­ nization, chaired by Senator Abraham Ribicoff, published a study report of more than one thousand pages.1 It consists of