How is malpractice defined in a medical context?

In a medical context, malpractice is defined as professional negligence that results in harm to a patient. This involves a healthcare provider failing to adhere to the accepted standards of practice in their field, leading to an injury or adverse outcome for the patient. The key components of malpractice include the duty of care owed by the provider, a breach of that duty, a direct causal link between the breach and the injury, and actual damages resulting from the injury.

While inadequate access to healthcare services or incorrect prescriptions could potentially lead to patient harm, they do not encompass the broader legal definition of malpractice as they do not involve a direct breach of professional standards by an individual provider. Similarly, failing to follow up with patients can result in negative outcomes but may not fit the traditional legal definition required to substantiate a malpractice claim unless it constitutes a breach of the standard of care. Thus, professional negligence causing harm is the fundamental characteristic that solidifies a case as malpractice.