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Why do surgeons receive more complaints than their physician peers?
Author(s) -
Tibble Holly M.,
Broughton Nigel S.,
Studdert David M.,
Spittal Matthew J.,
Hill Nicola,
Morris Jennifer M.,
Bismark Marie M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.14225
Subject(s) - medicine , complaint , family medicine , interpersonal communication , harm , orthopedic surgery , psychiatry , psychology , social psychology , political science , law
Background Compared with other doctors, surgeons are at an increased risk of medicolegal events, including patient complaints and negligence claims. This retrospective study aimed to describe the frequency and nature of complaints involving surgeons compared with physicians. Methods We assembled a national data set of complaints about surgeons and physicians lodged with medical regulators in Australia from 2011 to 2016. We classified the complaints into 19 issues across four domains: treatment and procedures, other performance, professional conduct and health. We assessed differences in complaint risk using incidence rate ratios ( IRRs ). Finally, we used a multivariate model to identify predictors of complaints among surgeons. Results The rate of complaints was 2.3 times higher for surgeons than physicians (112 compared with 48 complaints per 1000 practice years, P < 0.001). Two‐fifths (41%) of the higher rate of complaints among surgeons was attributable to issues other than treatments and procedures, including fees ( IRR = 2.68), substance use ( IRR = 2.10), communication ( IRR = 1.98) and interpersonal behaviour ( IRR = 1.92). Male surgeons were at a higher risk of complaints, as were specialists in orthopaedics, plastic surgery and neurosurgery. Discussion Surgeons are more than twice as likely to attract complaints as their physician peers. This elevated risk arises partly from involvement in surgical procedures and treatments, but also reflects wider concerns about interpersonal skills, professional ethics and substance use. Improved understanding of these patterns may assist efforts to reduce harm and support safe practise.