Medicolegal

Question 1

When does a consent form not protect Patient or Practitioner?

Answer 1

If the performance of the procedure is faulty

Question 2

How long does a patient have to make a legal claim against a Doctor?

Answer 2

If a child is not involved: Up to Seven Years

If a child is involved: Up to Seven Years after maturity (ie up to 25 years)

Question 3

Give five common causes of litigation in OBGYN

Answer 3

• Shoulder Dystocia
• Inadequate Screening for Foetal Abnormality
• Failure to recognise growth restriction
• Allowing second stage of labour to be prolonged resulting in sphincter dysfunction
• Not adequately controlling PPH resulting in Hysterectomy

Question 4

State four conditions of the 1967 Abortion Act

Answer 4

• Not exceeded 24th week and continuance would cause greater risk
• Necessary to prevent grave physical/mental damage to Woman
• Continuance is greater risk to Woman’s life
• Substantial risk if born it would suffer physical/mental abnormalities

Question 5

What are two other conditions for ToP?

Answer 5

• Has to be agreed by two practitioners

- Need to ensure foetus is not born alive (after 22 weeks give US guided KCl)

Question 6

What is the FGM act 2003 on a practitioner discovering FGM on a patient under 18?

Answer 6

Reporting to the police is mandatory and must be done within one month
Reinfibulation (on any age) is illegal

Question 7

Describe the four classifications of FGM?

Answer 7

1 - Partial/Total removal of clitoris
2 - Partial/Total removal of Clitoris and Labia Minora with or without Labia Majora
3 - Narrowing of Orifice with or without excision of Clitoris
4 - All other harmful procedures for non medical purposes