The panel of speakers included an Assistant Editor of a leading English newspaper, a senior medical practitioner and a senior advocate and solicitor. The discussion was instructive and the media representative conceded to the harmful effects of one sided advance reporting of allegations against doctors. The practice of defensive medicine has implications for society as a whole. Doctors have maintained that the current malpractice situation encourages them to engage in protective behaviour that is expensive but has relatively little value to patient care. We should endeavour to ensure that defensive practice does not become the norm in Malaysia in view of the fact that it unnecessarily inflates the cost of medical care.
Solutions have to be found to remedy the situation.