U.S. surgeons facing malpractice lawsuits are at higher risk of experiencing emotional exhaustion, stress and professional dissatisfaction, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
For their study, researchers relied on survey responses from members of the American College of Surgeons. The anonymous, cross-sectional survey was sent to more than 25,000 members Oct. 2010. In total, 7,164 surveys were returned.
The data showed that 24.6 percent of respondents experienced a malpractice lawsuit within 24 months prior to the survey. Compared with surgeons not involved in a malpractice lawsuit, those involved were more likely to be younger, male, work more hours per week, have frequent night calls and be in private practice.
The researchers also found malpractice lawsuits were strongly and independently linked to surgeon depression and career burnout. The stress caused by malpractice litigation was rated as equal to that of financial worries, pressure to succeed in research, work/home conflicts and coping with patients' suffering and death. Surgeons who experienced a recent malpractice lawsuit also reported less career satisfaction and were less likely to recommend a surgical or medical career to their children or others.
The surgical specialties reporting the highest rates of malpractice lawsuits in the last 24 months were neurosurgery (31 percent), cardiothoracic surgery (29 percent), general surgery (28 percent), colorectal surgery (28 percent) and obstetric and gynecologic surgery (28 percent). The specialties reporting the lowest rates of malpractice lawsuits were otolaryngology (12 percent), ophthalmology (12 percent) and breast surgery (14 percent).
For their study, researchers relied on survey responses from members of the American College of Surgeons. The anonymous, cross-sectional survey was sent to more than 25,000 members Oct. 2010. In total, 7,164 surveys were returned.
The data showed that 24.6 percent of respondents experienced a malpractice lawsuit within 24 months prior to the survey. Compared with surgeons not involved in a malpractice lawsuit, those involved were more likely to be younger, male, work more hours per week, have frequent night calls and be in private practice.
The researchers also found malpractice lawsuits were strongly and independently linked to surgeon depression and career burnout. The stress caused by malpractice litigation was rated as equal to that of financial worries, pressure to succeed in research, work/home conflicts and coping with patients' suffering and death. Surgeons who experienced a recent malpractice lawsuit also reported less career satisfaction and were less likely to recommend a surgical or medical career to their children or others.
The surgical specialties reporting the highest rates of malpractice lawsuits in the last 24 months were neurosurgery (31 percent), cardiothoracic surgery (29 percent), general surgery (28 percent), colorectal surgery (28 percent) and obstetric and gynecologic surgery (28 percent). The specialties reporting the lowest rates of malpractice lawsuits were otolaryngology (12 percent), ophthalmology (12 percent) and breast surgery (14 percent).
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