Which item is NOT commonly cited as a reason for malpractice lawsuits?

• A. Inadequate appointment scheduling
• B. Referrals
• C. Failure to diagnose
• D. Inadequate exam or treatment

Answer: (A)

Many malpractice claims arise from what happens during medical decision‑making and patient care, not from how a practice runs its schedule. The most frequently cited factors are misdiagnosis or delays in diagnosis and inadequate exam or treatment, because these directly cause patient harm. Referrals can be implicated when a failure to obtain appropriate consultation leads to worse outcomes. Inadequate appointment scheduling, while it can contribute to delays or dissatisfaction, is primarily an administrative issue and is not commonly listed as a direct cause of malpractice lawsuits. The emphasis in these claims is on clinical errors that harm patients, rather than on scheduling logistics.