Malpractice is an ugly word for both patients and doctors.
For patients, it can mean that a doctor botched a routine surgery, resulting in years of chronic pain. For doctors, it is the fear during every operation that a force beyond their control will result in a negative outcome, prompting an ugly lawsuit and damaging their medical reputation. In many states, you can find a malpractice history on your doctor, but the real issue is how you choose to interpret that information. Related Documents 2. In a database kept secret from patients, the government has recorded the names of nearly 500 doctors and dentists across the country who have been slapped with at least 10 disciplinary actions and malpractice payments over the last decade.