Published Paper Details:

Concerns have been raised about the possibility that the criminalization of medical negligence could serve as both a threat to the medical profession and a deterrent in the healthcare industry. When a healthcare professional fails to provide patients with the expected level of care, this is known as medical negligence. Historically, civil litigation was the primary means of addressing medical negligence; however, the growing trend toward criminalizing such conduct aims to provide a more stringent accountability mechanism. Critics contend that criminalizing healthcare providers is a necessary deterrent because it ensures that they are held accountable for their actions and upholds high standards of care, increasing patient safety and trust in the medical system. Critics, on the other hand, warn that making medical negligence a criminal offense could create a climate of fear and hesitation among medical professionals, which could lead to defensive medicine and lower quality care. Open communication, professional autonomy, and existing problems like physician burnout could all be exacerbated by the threat of criminal prosecution. The ramifications of criminalizing medical negligence are examined in this abstract, with the purpose of determining whether or not it poses a threat to the integrity and well-being of the medical profession or merely serves as an effective deterrent. In order to determine whether or not this strategy is effective and fair, it is essential to strike a balance between accountability and the maintenance of professional trust.