What is an effective way to protect against negligence for physicians?

Obtaining signed consent from patients is a crucial strategy for physicians to protect against negligence. In the healthcare setting, informed consent is the process through which patients are made aware of the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed medical procedure or treatment before agreeing to it. By securing this consent, physicians demonstrate that they have communicated necessary information regarding the patient's care and that the patient has had the opportunity to ask questions and understand their treatment options.

This practice is key in establishing a legal defense against claims of negligence. If a patient experiences a negative outcome following a procedure for which they provided informed consent, it can be argued that the patient was made aware of potential risks, which decreases the likelihood of a successful negligence claim. Furthermore, obtaining signed consent can aid in fostering trust between the patient and the physician, as it reinforces the ethical obligation of the healthcare provider to respect patient autonomy.

While other strategies like improving hospital signage, increasing security personnel, and conducting patient surveys can contribute to an overall safer and more efficient healthcare environment, they do not directly address the individual physician's legal responsibility and the importance of patient understanding and agreement in medical decision-making.