Published Jan. 31, Medscape surveyed more than 4,300 physicians in 29 specialties.
Five things to know:
1. Of the 77 percent of surgeons who reported being named in a malpractice lawsuit, 26 percent were the only person named in the suit, and 66 percent were named in a suit with other parties.
2. Twenty-three percent of surveyed surgeons were never named in a malpractice suit.
3. Sixty-five percent of surgeons cited treatment and surgery complications as the reason for the lawsuit; 21 percent cited poor outcomes/disease progressions; and 17 percent cited wrongful death.
4. Plastic surgeons and general surgeons were sued the most often, at 83 percent each.
5. Eighty-two percent of surgeons said they felt the lawsuit was unwarranted.
