Professional Negligence in Zambia: An Appraisal of the Medical Profession

Mwanawasa, Mayamba (2005) Professional Negligence in Zambia: An Appraisal of the Medical Profession. Masters thesis, University of Zambia.

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Abstract

Before we can clearly understand the subject of medical negligence, it is important to have foreknowledge of the medical profession in general. Therefore, the first chapter will discuss the various types of medical personnel involved in the complex medical health care system. The chapter will also discuss the doctor-patient relationship. The characteristic features of the medical profession are determined largely by the attitude of society towards the human body and the valuation of health and disease. The scope of medicine was always the same: to cure disease and eventually to prevent it. Medicine always meant service; therefore, at all times certain qualities were required of the physician- readiness to help, knowledge concerning the nature of disease, and skill in curing the sick man. I Doctors have a special and privileged position within society, which is based around notions of professionalism. These notions include the idea that society places its trust in the medical professional to hold special areas of knowledge and skill and those members of the medical profession are expected to act virtuously to use that knowledge and skill for the benefit of society. Doctors are expected to fill in for their patients the very same way that lawyers fill for their clients. This role is necessary, because sick people are nomore capable of navigating the complex health care system, than are accused persons capable of navigating the complex legal system. The importance of the medical profession cannot be over emphasized but it is important to state that every person in society has at least some physical contact with such persons during their lifetime. Medical health Practitioners are important because they hold the patients life in their hands. They are trained to treat patients and if they are careless or negligent, such lives may be lost. In short, it can be stated that the medical profession serves a fundamental role in our society and has an effect upon all our lives.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
K Law > K Law (General)
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Geoffrey Obatsa
Date Deposited: 10 May 2019 07:51
Last Modified: 10 May 2019 07:52
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/9171

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