Original Article

Facing the Malpractice Crisis: Academic Physicians' Willingness to Accept Quick Fix Solutions

Authors: Rachel B. Levine, MD, MPH, Steven J. Kravet, MD, Darcy A. Reed, MD, MPH, Donna M. Windish, MD, MPH, Leah Wolfe, MD, Scott M. Wright, MD

Abstract

Background: We sought to determine the willingness of academic physicians to accept strategies to contain institutional malpractice costs.


Methods: We surveyed all 270 Department of Medicine physicians at a large academic center. Respondents were asked about their knowledge regarding malpractice premiums, willingness to reduce patient-care activities and accept decreases in compensation.


Results: The response rate was 80%. Respondents estimated the annual increase in malpractice premiums from 2004 to 2005 to be 29%. The true increase was 28% (P = 0.55). Almost all opposed eliminating patient care (95%) or providing patient care every other year at double effort and withdrawing from patient care on alternate years (97%). Seventy percent would limit their clinical procedures. Most physicians opposed salary reduction (97%) or decreases in fringe benefits (99%).


Conclusions: Few academic physicians are willing to limit patient care or accept decreases in compensation to recoup institutional malpractice costs.


Key Points


* Increasing malpractice costs may limit the ability of academic medical centers to fulfill their commitment to research, teaching, and patient care.


* Academic physicians appear to be aware of the magnitude of the current malpractice crisis.


* Very few academic physicians are willing to significantly limit or eliminate patient care activities or accept decreases in salary or benefits in an effort to help contain institutional malpractice costs.

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