Many individuals will experience unexpected adverse outcomes following medical treatment or surgical procedures. When the conditions requiring medical or surgery are non-life-threatening like pregnancy or benign conditions, or the medical or surgical treatments concerned are considered safe or risk-free, the individuals affected can be particularly aggrieved due psychological trauma and unexpected income loss.
The medical system doesn’t offer specialised psychological, clinical or social support structure to this group of individuals.
There is a high prevalence of medical litigation in South Africa as some individuals will seek a legal remedy following a medical complication. For the few who seek who seek legal recourse, a prominent law firm in South Africa has reported that only 2 out of 10 patients have merit. Of these, only half of potential claims in which summons is issued are successful. These lawsuits are complex and it may be up to 10 years before a verdict is reached. Those who pin their hopes on the legal system find that there may be no solution there and that, if there is, it results only in a monetary reward for a few who are lucky to be successful.
The very complex legal system’s civil procedure doesn’t offer any special psychological, clinical or social support structure to these group of individuals who already feel aggrieved and seek restitution. The lengthy legal process can only worsen the psychological grief.
Some parents seek care for their children for birth complications like cerebral palsy and this care usually requires multidisciplinary intervention. The people affected and their families may not be connected to other forms of social support, like non-profit organisations, which are available. Parents may also need information on schools which are available and appropriate for the needs of their children. These children, who need long-term follow-up care for many years may be lost to their health practitioners or the health practitioners have no mechanism to facilitate appropriate long-term care.
In conclusion, systems that support the vulnerable individuals who have complications need to be developed to ensure holistic care.
The Solution
Sizanani Bentham aims to provide medical, psychological and social support for those individuals who have had an adverse outcome following a medical or surgical procedure, with a special focus on those who develop long term neurological complications like cerebral palsy. Sizanani will also ensure that these individuals are not deprived of holistic care due to lack of information.
How does it work?
- As soon as an individual experience an adverse outcome following a medical or surgical procedure, the treating doctor treats the individual accordingly.
- The treating doctor can inform Sizanani Bentham and advise the organisation regarding a future treatment plan for the affected individual.
- Sizanani will contact the affected individual and ensure that the individual has all the necessary support he or she needs.
- A social worker may contact the individual to assess whether she or he has other medical, psychological or social needs and advise the administrative unit.
- Sizanani Bentham will liaise with the treating doctor and other providers required where necessary.
- Sizanani Bentham may assist to coordinate ongoing referrals with all required providers or institutions.