Final answer:
The doctrine that holds physicians legally responsible for the acts of their employees within the scope of their employment is called vicarious liability. Under this doctrine, hospitals or healthcare facilities can be held liable for the actions or negligence of their employees. Vicarious liability ensures that individuals who have suffered harm due to the actions of healthcare employees have a means of seeking compensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The doctrine that holds physicians legally responsible for the acts of their employees when acting within the scope of their duties of employment is called vicarious liability. Under this doctrine, employers, including hospitals or healthcare facilities, can be held liable for the actions or negligence of their employees. This means that if a physician's employee, such as a nurse or medical assistant, commits a negligent act or error while carrying out their duties, the physician can be held responsible for any resulting harm.
For example, if a nurse administers the wrong medication to a patient and causes harm, the physician who employs that nurse may be held legally responsible for the nurse's actions.
Vicarious liability is based on the principle that employers should bear some responsibility for the actions of their employees, as they have control over their employees' actions and benefit from their services. It serves as a means of ensuring that individuals who have suffered harm due to the actions of healthcare employees have an avenue for seeking compensation from the responsible parties.