The majority of physicians are sued during their careers — yet most are unprepared.
Gita S. Pensa, M.D. is a speaker, educator, coach, and creator of Doctors and Litigation: The L Word. She helps good doctors manage the stressors of adverse events, litigation, and burnout.
Work with a coach who’s been there.
As the sole physician defendant in a $28-million-dollar demand case spanning twelve years and two lengthy jury trials, I know first hand how litigation can threaten to destroy the lives of good physicians.
Litigation threatened everything I’d worked so hard to achieve: my career, my marriage and family life, and my own personal well being. I had never been prepared for it in training, and had no idea where to look for help.
After years of suffering in isolation, I finally vowed to find ways to empower and educate myself. Diving into everything from tort law and legal performance techniques to cognitive neuroscience, behavioral therapy, coaching, and resilience training, I charted a path to recovery from litigation stress and burnout. On the way, I became a more effective defendant, a more fulfilled physician, and a happier human being.
I know now that the skill set and mindset required to thrive despite litigation can be learned — and taught. Through podcasts, national speaking engagements, resident education, and coaching, I am on mission to ensure no physician again feels as I did when I was first named: alone, unprepared, and afraid.
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“It has really been so helpful to me, and has brought me knowledge and peace…I felt very lost and your advice has given me strength. Thank you. Please continue what you are doing. You made a difference in my life."
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“Dr. Pensa was hired by my attorney. When my attorney asked if I’d be willing to meet with Dr. Pensa, I agreed, but had low expectations. I believed that we provided good care to the patient in this case. Despite a lack of confidence in my own medical skills, I viewed myself as emotionally resilient. I already had access to metal health resources, if I needed them, and, in addition, I’m married to a psychiatrist. I really felt I had my resources covered.
That being said, I did think the situation was hopeless. I was not at the top of my medical school class, and I did not think I would ever be able to do well in a deposition or go to trial with a plaintiff’s attorney whom I was told was one of the best in the state.
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Dr. Pensa ended up being an indispensable resource. She provided a bridge between the medical and legal world that I don’t think anyone else I know could have done. She changed my perspective of the legal system and how to approach a deposition as well as my perspective of my own medical practice. Her coaching made me a MUCH better deponent, and in the end, probably a better physician. I cannot recommend her highly enough! I am so grateful to have gotten to work with her.”
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-CJ, Defendant, OB-Gyn, 2024
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