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Robert L. Prosser, Jr, MD

JAMA. 1992;267(19):2630-2631.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

THE PRACTICE of altering medical records out of fear of litigation may be an increasing problem. This topic has received no recent attention in the medical literature. Physicians' alterations of research data^1,2 and attitudes toward changing records to improve insurance collection^3,4 have been reported, but no documented cases in the medical literature describe altering the records of patients who sue physicians. This review describes the medicolegal aspects of four cases involving altered patient records. The discussion following the cases focuses on some practical considerations about making additions and changes to medical records.

I have practiced medicine in academic centers for 20 years. Because of my academic orientation, several state medical boards, hospitals, malpractice insurance companies, physician groups, and even a few plaintiffs attorneys have sought my opinion on cases involving pending or potential litigation. In the last 5 years, there has been a disturbing increase in the proportion . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
From the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City. Dr Prosser was compensated for giving expert testimony in most of the cases discussed in this article.

Footnotes
Reprints not available.

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