A man having a colonoscopy sued two doctors and their practices for defamation and medical malpractice last week, after he found that his cell phone had recorded a most horrific “trash talking” event during his procedure, as well as evidence of a falsified diagnosis. In the trial, the jury ordered the anesthesiologist and her practice to pay the patient $500,000.

Questions:
1. While this trial paid the patient damages, do you think that the medical board should intervene with disciplinary action also, and if so what type of action?
2. How should the practice record the journal entry for the $500,000?
3. The jury awarded the man $100,000 for defamation — $50,000 each for the comments about the man having syphilis and tuberculosis — and $200,000 for medical malpractice, as well as the $200,000 in punitive damages. Explain the legal terms that are bolded.

4. What type of ethical oaths apply to the medical profession? Are they similar to the accounting profession? Explain.

Source:

Jackman, T. (2015). Anesthesiologist trashes sedated patient — and it ends up costing her. The Washington Post, June 23 (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/anesthesiologist-trashes-sedated-patient-jury-orders-her-to-pay-500000/2015/06/23/cae05c00-18f3-11e5-ab92-c75ae6ab94b5_story.html)