Physician behavior impacts malpractice claims rate — 5 takeaways

A New England Journal of Medicine study found certain physician behaviors are tied to a higher claims rate for medical malpractice, according to MD News.

Researchers analyzed claims paid against physician between 2005 and 2014.

Here are five takeaways:

1. The findings indicated a lack of communication, availability, responsiveness and empathy often put the physician at an increased risk for malpractice claims.

2. If patients are unhappy with their physicians, they will be more prone to sue than patients who are genuinely satisfied with their care.

3. One medical practice insurance carrier found 20 percent of their physicians were responsible for 80 percent of malpractice claims.

4. Apologizing to a patient could possibly prevent many malpractice insurance cases.

5. Certain states have implemented an Apology Statute to help rebuild the patient-physician relationship following a medical error. The state allows a provider to apologize to a patient when a medical error occurs, and a patient cannot use the apology against the provider in a medical malpractice case.

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