Criminal Charges Against Physician

Re “A Medical Mistake or Murder?” Jan. 7: For centuries, society has recognized that professionals should be granted protections not afforded other citizens. Professional client privilege and immunity from criminal prosecution except in the most egregious circumstances are effective, albeit controversial, means of assuring that highly trained individuals can perform optimally in their occupations involving decision-making that affects the welfare of others.

The impending trial of Dr. Wolfgang Schug, in contradicting this premise, raises issues that are likely to affect the health care of some of the most needy Californians. Rural and inner-city America have been traditionally underserved by the medical estab- lishment. The physicians who are attracted to these locations are generally dedicated and well-meaning, as Schug appears to be. A murder conviction of Schug will not remedy the tragic, and possibly negligent, death of Cody Burrows.

Rather than serving justice, the criminal proceedings are likely to serve to abate the desire of health-care professionals to work in rural locales, particularly in perceived high-risk settings. One possible outcome of the trial would be to force closure of local emergency treatment facilities altogether, forcing residents to drive long distances to obtain needed care.

JONATHAN D. KAUNITZ MD

Professor of Medicine, UCLA