Practical and philosophical considerations of the physician-patient relationship.

The best method for preventing medical malpractice litigation is the nurturing and maintenance of the physician-patient relationship. This relationship can be developed by means of care and compassion for the patient as a person and patient education through a free and open discussion of informed consent. The relationship can be maintained by recognizing "poor result/litigious patient" situations with one's own patients as well as with patients of other physicians.