Final answer:
The four basic elements that must be proven in a medical malpractice claim include a duty of care owed to the patient, negligence, causation, and damages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four basic elements that must be proven in order to sustain a claim of malpractice against a physician include a duty of care owed to the patient, negligence, causation, and damages. Damages refer to the harm or injury suffered by the patient as a result of the physician's negligence. In a malpractice claim, the patient must provide evidence that they have suffered some form of physical or emotional harm due to the physician's actions or omissions.