What does the term malpractice refer to?

Malpractice refers to professional negligence, which occurs when a healthcare provider or practitioner fails to deliver the standard of care that is expected in their professional practice, resulting in harm to the patient. It encompasses actions that a reasonably skilled professional in the same field would not take, leading to potential harm or injury. This could include errors in treatment, a lack of proper care, or failure to diagnose a condition.

In the context of healthcare, understanding malpractice is crucial because it highlights the importance of adhering to established protocols and standards of practice to ensure patient safety and well-being. When a professional acts in a way that deviates from accepted practices and this leads to adverse outcomes, it constitutes malpractice, making it an important concept in legal and medical discussions.