Expired CME Article
Psychologic Effects of Poor Outcome and Professional Liability Actions on Physicians
Abstract
Objectives: Little is known about the psychologic effects on obstetricians and gynecologists of adverse maternal or fetal outcome and malpractice claims.
Methods: An anonymous survey regarding the psychologic effects of professional liability claims, as measured by 19 items which were used to create four composites rated on a 5-point scale, was mailed to the members of the Central Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Results: Among respondents, 78% had at least one malpractice claim, and 9% experienced a patient death, 12% a fetal demise, and 21% neonatal neurologic damage. In general, professional liability claims had significant effects on psychologic trauma (P < 0.001), shame/doubt (P < 0.005), and active coping (P < 0.05), but not on job stress, whereas patient death, but not fetal death or neonatal neurologic injury, had significant effects on all 4 composite variables.
Conclusion: Physicians experience psychologic trauma influenced by patient death and professional liability actions.
Key Points
* Obstetricians and gynecologists are likely to be sued, as 78% have at least one professional liability claim during their practice.
* Among those experiencing a professional liability claim, there were significant effects indicating psychologic trauma, shame/doubt, inactive coping, but oddly enough, not job stress.
* Physician experience of maternal death had a significant effect on all composite variables.
* Physicians experience psychologic trauma influenced by patient death in professional liability actions.
This content is limited to qualifying members.
Existing members, please login first
If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.
Purchase only this article ($25)
Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.
Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)
Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.
Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)
Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.