A Medical Protection Society (MPS) survey has found that 75% of respondents in Ireland say they practise defensively to avoid complaints and claims.
MPS surveyed more than 450[1] doctors in Ireland, members of MPS, to see whether a rising fear of complaints and claims is leading doctors to change the way they practise medicine.
The survey found that 75% of respondents practise defensively to avoid complaints and claims, with 74% of these citing potential media criticism of the profession as a contributory factor. In addition, 78% of respondents said they noticed their colleagues practising defensively.
Doctors who practise defensively may order more investigations, change their prescribing habits or avoid certain procedures to help protect themselves rather than to further the patient’s diagnosis.
Dr Stephanie Bown, Director of Policy and Communications, said: “In our experience, many claims originate not because of substandard care, but because of poor communication between the doctor and the patient.
“Medicine is not risk free. As a doctor you cannot always guarantee a successful outcome for your patient, but if you have managed your patient’s treatment appropriately and communicated effectively from the beginning, and documented this, it will reduce the risk of the patient bringing a successful complaint or a claim.”
Speaking about media scrutiny, Dr Bown said: “MPS is only too aware of the extensive negative coverage given by the media to healthcare professionals and this can lead doctors to practising defensive medicine. However, doctors must always do what is best for the patient and be prepared to justify their actions.”
The results showed more than a quarter of respondents chose to stop treating certain conditions, and performing certain procedures, to prevent complaints and claims.
A positive aspect of the survey’s findings was that of the doctors who said they practise defensively to avoid complaints and claims, 62% said they keep more detailed records, and 61% are more careful to ensure that follow-up arrangements are in place.
Dr Bown said: “The risks of being sued are much lower than you may believe - doctors should not let their fear of being sued affect the way they deliver care. As long as a doctor can look back and justify any treatment decisions in accordance with best practice, then their business and reputation will be safeguarded. This is why it is so important to keep quality notes; so that the clinical reasoning behind any decisions can be demonstrated and understood later.”
Other findings of those who responded to the survey include:
- 30% of respondents had had a complaint against them
- 16% had faced a claim of negligence
- 9% had had an adverse finding following investigation
- More than 50% of those felt the finding was unjustified, however 53% changed their practice
- More than 70% were most concerned that a complaint could lead to an investigation, yet only 8% had been investigated .