The AI Orthopedician will see you now - But who is Liable if it's Wrong?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various sectors, including health care, with orthopedics being no exception. Orthopedic practice, already familiar with technological advancements such as robotic surgery, is rapidly integrating AI into clinical workflows, enhancing precision in surgical planning, diagnostics, and patient care. However, this evolution raises critical questions, particularly regarding liability when AI systems fail and cause harm.

The New Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Laws: Progress or Pitfall for Doctors?

The Indian Penal Code (IPC), a relic of British colonial rule, was recently replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in July 2024. While the overhaul of the IPC was largely welcomed, it has sparked significant concern among the medical community, primarily due to Section 106 of the BNS. This section mandates imprisonment for doctors involved in deaths caused by rash or negligent acts during medical procedures, which many in the profession fear could lead to a climate of fear and hesitancy in performing critical medical interventions.

Swallowing the Litigation Pill: The Future of Medical Lawsuits in India.

As the tide of medical lawsuits rises, doctors in India find themselves navigating increasingly treacherous waters. What drives this surge in litigation? Can we chart a course through these challenging times, or are we destined to face relentless legal battles? In this editorial, we unravel the complexities of this pressing issue and glimpse what lies on the horizon for India's medical community.

Pill Pushers or Partners in Progress: Should Pharmaceutical Companies Be Allowed to Sponsor Continuing Medical Education (CME)?

This article explores a timely and contentious issue within the Indian medical community: the relationship between doctors and pharmaceutical companies, particularly the sponsorship of continuing medical education (CME) events. Triggered by the National Medical Council's proposed guidelines in August 2023, which sought to ban such sponsorships, the article revisits the longstanding debate over potential conflicts of interest. While critics argue that these relationships could compromise medical ethics, the article questions whether this assumption holds up under scrutiny.

White Coats Under Fire: Understanding the Epidemic of Violence Against Doctors.

The doctor-patient relationship, once grounded in trust and mutual respect, is increasingly marred by incidents of violence against healthcare providers. This alarming trend not only threatens the safety of doctors but also undermines the integrity of medical care. This article delves into the multifaceted reasons behind such violence, exploring emotional, financial, societal, and systemic factors that contribute to this disturbing phenomenon.

The Theatre of Surgery: The Ethical and Legal Implications of Live Surgeries.

Surgical training has long emphasized learning through direct observation, allowing young surgeons to gain practical insights from experienced surgeons. The advent of live surgical demonstrations has extended this learning method, providing real-time broadcasts of surgeries to wider audiences. Live surgery is a surgery that is broadcasted in real time to an audience.

Blood Money: Is it Time to Incentivize Blood Donation in India?

Blood donation, a fundamental act of altruism, has undergone significant evolution over the centuries. Despite medical progress, the persistent challenge lies in securing an adequate supply of blood and its derivatives. This article critically examines the proposal to introduce monetary incentives for blood donation, delving into ethical, legal, and pragmatic dimensions.

Informed consent form for platelet rich plasma injections: evidence-based and legally guide for orthopaedic surgeons.

Regarding medico-legal malpractice suits, lawyers and insurers focus on informed consent documentation. Unfortunately, there is no standard protocol for obtaining informed consent for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. The objective of the present study was to create a pre-designed, evidence-based informed consent form specifically for PRP injections.

Beyond Blame: Is India Ready for No-Fault Liability in Healthcare?

In contemporary healthcare systems, the pursuit of justice intertwines with fault attribution and liability determination. The exploration of no-fault liability as a potential alternative within India's healthcare landscape delves into its feasibility and implications. Drawing from international experiences, regulatory frameworks, and societal readiness, the complexities and potential benefits of adopting a no-fault liability system are elucidated.

The New Consumer Protection Act Controversy: Does It Apply to Doctors in India?

A new Consumer Protection Act (CPA) was introduced in 2019 and has created quite a stir in the medical fraternity. There is widespread uncertainty as to whether this new Act applies to the medical profession. However, on careful review of the original CPA of 1986, the definition of services included within the Act, and understanding the changes introduced in CPA 2019, the legal application of CPA 2019 to medical professionals becomes clear.

Standardized Informed Consent Form for Clinicians Administering Platelet-Rich Plasma.

Introduction When it comes to medico-legal malpractice suits, lawyers and insurers tend to focus on informed consent documentation. Unfortunately, there is no standard protocol for obtaining informed consent for the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which might cause problems. This study aimed to mitigate this concern through the development of a standardized informed consent document for PRP injections, grounded in evidence-based practices.

Customizable Hyperextension Splint for Mallet Finger.

Introduction: Mallet finger is a common deformity occurring due to the traumatic detachment of the extensor tendon at its insertion in the distal phalanx. Despite several different methods of splinting being available, residual extensor lag remains one of the most common complications of conservative treatment.

Technique Report: We demonstrate a novel technique to make a hyperextension splint which can be customized as per the individual.

Neglected Elbow Dislocation leading to Ankylosis of Elbow: A Case Report.

Introduction: Neglected elbow dislocation is defined as a dislocation that is present for 3 weeks or longer. There is no available literature on neglected elbow dislocations, leading to ankylosis of the elbow joint.

Case Report: A 17-year-old female sustained a road traffic accident.

Scapholunate Advanced Collapse Wrist - Keeping it Simple - A Case Report.

Introduction: Scapholunate advanced collapse is a rare condition of progressive deformity, instability, and arthritis that affects the radiocarpal and mid-carpal joints of the wrist. It occurs as a result of injury to the scapholunate ligament being left untreated.

Case Report: We present the imaging of a 50-year-old woman who complained of pain in her right wrist for 2 years.

Arthroscopy in India Through the Medicolegal Lens: A Comprehensive Review.

Introduction: With the increasing number of Arthroscopic surgeries, comes with it, the undesirable problem of litigation associated with it. Arthroscopy does possess certain unique aspects which need to be understood from the legal point of view as well.

Materials And Methods: We obtained information on specific medico-legal cases involving arthroscopy from books and websites containing collections of medico-legal judgments in Indian legal courts, consumer dispute redressal forums at the state and national levels, and state medical councils.

Osteoporosis - An Imminent Ethical and Legal Debacle?

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in bone density. Its prevalence is on the rise and is only going to continue to rise further. Fragility fractures such as neck of femur fracture fractures and intertrochanteric fractures are among the most common fractures encountered by orthopedic surgeons today.

In the Hands of a Robot, From the Operating Room to the Courtroom: The Medicolegal Considerations of Robotic Surgery.

Robotic surgery has rapidly evolved as a groundbreaking field in medicine, revolutionizing surgical practices across various specialties. Despite its numerous benefits, the adoption of robotic surgery faces significant medicolegal challenges. This article delves into the underexplored legal implications of robotic surgery and identifies three distinct medicolegal problems.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of India: Treading the Path between Practical and Ethical Reproductive Justice.

One of the most important facets of reproductive freedom and justice is the right to abortion. For centuries, the debate on legalisation and regulation of abortion has caused ethical dilemmas with proponents for both sides of the argument. India, a developing nation, with a wide spectrum of cultures, traditions, socio-economic statuses and religious beliefs, would be expected to be grappling with this problem.

Understanding the Medico-Legal Aspects of Telemedicine in India.

Telemedicine has brought a new dimension to healthcare and has been gaining popularity worldwide. However, the medico-legal aspects of the practice of telemedicine in India remain ambiguous to most doctors and administrators. We have therefore provided a concise overview of the legal aspects of telemedicine, which will enable doctors and administrators to provide better telemedicine services while safeguarding themselves from possible litigation.

Utilization and Perception of Telemedicine among Orthopedic Surgeons.

Introduction: Telemedicine has been a growing trend. Its use in the field of orthopedic surgery has its own unique facets. To determine the perception and assess the utilization of telemedicine the current study was conducted.

Evidence-based informed consent form for total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction: Informed consent documentation is often the first area of interest for lawyers and insurers when a medico-legal malpractice suit is concerned. However, there is a lack of uniformity and standard procedure about obtaining informed consent for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We developed a solution for this need for a pre-designed, evidence-based informed consent form for patients undergoing TKA.

Legally Sound, Evidence-Based Informed Consent Form for Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Introduction: Informed consent documentation is often the first area of interest for lawyers and insurers when a medico-legal malpractice suit is concerned. However, there is a lack of uniformity and standard procedure for obtaining informed consent for total hip arthroplasty (THA). We aimed to develop a solution for this need for a pre-designed, evidence-based informed consent form for THA cases.