Physician Violence

Paper Summary:

The paper looks at cases of physician violence in Canada and lists the elements of the offenses of assault, manslaughter and criminal negligence as found in the Criminal Code. The paper notes that
the notion of proving intent is very difficult when dealing with highly respected professionals such as doctors. The paper asserts that the violence perpetrated by physicians deserves the same kind of penalty and moral condemnation as other forms of criminal violence.

From the Paper:

"A Harvard researcher estimates that 180,000 patients die every year, at least in part because of medical mistakes (Schichor, Gaines, & Ball, 2002). Each year, 10 of every 100 physicians are sued for malpractice (Schichor, Gaines, & Ball, 2002). Physician violence in the United States is being identified more on a national level. However, according to Schichor, Gaines, and Ball, (2002), a search revealed only 15 cases in which physicians were prosecuted for violent crimes for conduct undertaken in the course of medical practice. Research done from a Canadian perspective revealed no such cases on a national level."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Department of Justice. (2005). Criminal Code. Retrieved on June 6, 2005 from http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-46/
• Ryan, E. (2005). Office of the Auditor General for the Province of Alberta. Interview. June 6, 2005.
• Schichor, D., Gaines L., and R. Ball. (2002). Readings in White-Collar Crime. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press Inc.

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