The Article in Brief

How Physicians Approach Prostate Cancer Screening Before and After Losing a Lawsuit

Alex H. Krist, MD, MPH, and colleagues

Background In 1999, a family medicine resident and a patient shared decision-making about whether the patient would be screened for prostate cancer. The patient, who decided not to be screened, was later diagnosed with prostate cancer and successfully sued the practice. This study examines whether doctors at the practice changed their approach to shared decision-making for prostate cancer screening as a result of the lawsuit.

What This Study Found Doctors in the practice did not change their approach to involving patients in decision-making for prostate cancer screening before, during, or after becoming aware of the lawsuit.. They continued to spend time discussing issues related to prostate cancer screening and patients were equally well informed about it.

Implications

• This study casts doubt on the idea that doctors change their practice methods as a result of the threat or experience of a lawsuit.