We thank Dr Harris for acknowledging the importance of malpractice risk that primary care physicians (and, we would add, their patients) painfully face, particularly the significant burden that the 3.3% annual rate translates to as it cumulatively accrues over a physician's career. Dr Harris' calculations, as well our findings, are consistent with other reported data. Aside from emphasis on the high statistical lifetime likelihood that a primary care physician might be sued, the author points out the value of the "identification of the breakdowns in care," as well as raising the potential for resulting "defensive" medical practices.
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