Medical negligence occurs when a doctor breaches his duty of care owed to a patient, resulting in injury to the patient. For a claim of medical negligence to be successful, it must be proven that the doctor owed a duty of care, breached this duty, and this breach caused damages to the patient. Breaches of duty can include failing to follow approved medical practices, making inaccurate diagnoses, risks associated with treatment, and failing to communicate with other doctors. The standard of care owed depends on the doctor's specialty and level of experience. Between 1985-1989, the Malaysian Medical Council inquired into 36 cases of medical negligence and disciplinary issues, finding 21 practitioners guilty as charged.