Welcome to the homepage of Drexel University College of Medicine’s healthcare dispute mediation program. Linked to this page are forms and articles that we think will be useful to you as you consider whether you want to use a physician who believes in mediation, or one who would prefer to litigate disputes with patients.
At Drexel Medicine, we believe that the best way to establish the best physician-patient relationship is through open and honest communication and mutual trust. The partnership begins with a listening ear and allowing the patient to tell their history. After a physical examination, our physicians utilize state-of-the-art technology to diagnose the medical problem. Physician and patient then discuss and agree on the most appropriate course of treatment. This is teamwork at its best. But every human body is different, and textbook cases are often the exception; operating rooms are not assembly lines; and despite the best efforts of the best physicians, the best patient outcomes can never be guaranteed.
For decades, lawyers and insurance companies have told doctors to stop talking to their patients when bad things happen, out of fear that the doctor might say the wrong thing and get sued. And with there being so many lawsuits against doctors, you can understand why doctors have taken that advice. But it is in such emotional times that the patients and families need their doctors the most.
In the spring of 2004, the doctors and nurse midwives of the Drexel University College of Medicine went a new way. We created a unique and innovative program which allows and encourages caregivers to continue talking with their patients. We tell you what we think happened, even if we are not absolutely sure; and you’ll always be able to reach one of us. We will sit down with you to discuss what we can do to help make things right. That is mediation and it is described in the links found on this webpage.
I am proud to say that we are the only medical group in the region to have such a program. Today, over 90% of our patients voluntarily sign up for our mediation program – agreeing to talk to us before going to court.
Drexel University Physicians – linking technology to a tradition of caring.
Richard V. Homan, M.D.
Annenberg Dean
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs
Drexel University College of Medicine
Drexel University Physicians® is a registered mark of the Philadelphia Health & Education Corporation, doing business as Drexel University College of Medicine, a separate not-for-profit subsidiary of Drexel University.