Family Medicine Expert Witnesses
The expertise you need for family doctor malpractice cases
Family medicine (FM) is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. Family medicine physicians, often called “family doctors,” provide primary care services for individuals of all ages based on the knowledge of the patient in the context of the family and community. Uniquely among medical specialties, family doctors treat patients of all ages and sexes, from infants to seniors. Family medicine is the only medical specialty with the primary goal of creating primary care physicians.
After medical school, family doctors must complete a two- to three-year residency in family medicine, including rotations in internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics-gynecology, psychiatry, and geriatrics. Some family doctors complete a one- to two-year fellowship to master a subspecialty such as geriatrics, women’s health, or sports medicine. Family doctors can be Board Certified through the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).
What is family medicine malpractice?
Because family doctors treat patients across all stages of life, there are numerous possible consequences of family medicine malpractice. Some examples of malpractice include:
- Failure to make a referral to a specialist in a timely manner. As primary care physicians, family doctors need to follow standards of care in recognizing a patient’s symptoms and making a referral to a specialist for further diagnosis or treatment.
- Negligent maternity care. Family doctors who provide prenatal care or deliver babies need to follow established standards of care to avoid injury to the mother or baby.
- Negligent fracture or trauma care. Broken bones are among the most significant injuries that family doctors may need to treat. A family medicine physician needs to recognize the symptoms of serious fractures and make a referral to a specialist, such as an orthopedist, when necessary.
The role of a family medicine expert witness
Cases involving family medicine malpractice can have high stakes, especially when the victim is a child. The right expert witness can explain the relevant standards of care and get to the truth of what happened. If you need a family doctor for a consultation or as an expert witness, Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants can help. Contact us today for a free case summary review.