What is the difference between a medical malpractice agreement and an arbitration proceeding?

The choice is between a procedure which could result in unnecessary litigation and a procedure which could result in unnecessary arbitration proceedings. The latter choice, under the circumstances of this case, is more compatible both with this state's policy of encouraging arbitration as an alternative to the judicial resolution of disputes (Madden v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (1976) 17 Cal.3d 699, 706, 131 Cal.Rptr. 882, 552 P.2d 1178), and with the tenor of the agreement between these parties.