Classification of plastic surgery malpractice complaints brought before the São Paulo Medical Board that were treated as professional-misconduct cases: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, there is an ethical and moral necessity to establish rules that govern professional attitudes and conduct. In the medical field, these rules are multifaceted, given the health consequences inherent to medical procedures. Ethics is an even more delicate subject when it comes to plastic surgery, since one of the aims of this particular medical specialty is esthetic improvement of the body. OBJECTIVE: To survey and classify São Paulo State Medical Board investigations of plastic-surgery complaints that were treated as professional-misconduct cases between 2007 and 2016. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a medical council. METHODS: A total of 360 cases were reviewed. Among these, 8 (2.23%) were dismissed, 1 (0.27%) became an administrative lawsuit and 351 (97.50%) were treated as professional-misconduct cases. RESULTS: A breakdown of the complaints filed over the nine-year period showed that complaints concerning malpractice were the most common (28.43%), followed by those regarding medical advertising (24.19%) and poor doctor-patient relationships (10.39%). CONCLUSION: Overall, the number of complaints lodged decreased over the last two years reviewed, although complaints regarding malpractice and poor doctor-patient relationships increased by 10% over the same period. In order to further reduce the number of medical board investigations, the medical establishment needs to carefully review the medical training of students and doctors at every stage of their careers.Classification of plastic surgery malpractice complaints brought before the São Paulo Medical Board that were treated as professional-misconduct cases: a cross-sectional study | ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Plastic surgery professional misconduct: a cross-sectional study on cases between 2008 and 2017, filed before the São Paulo State Medical Board

“…This result is consistent with published data. 12 The existence of complaints of negligence, medical malpractice or recklessness makes it clear that most mistakes or misconducts that occur in the practice of plastic surgery are due to physicians' omissions or passiveness in relation to patients who should be receiving more attention and care. This is corroborated by the rate of cases found in physicians' favor on account of a lack of evidence to back up the complaints.…”

“…The article governing professional responsibility is the article most often violated by doctors. 12 The Brazilian Medical Association (BMA) and regional medical boards are tasked with being notified of, investigating and ruling on all complaints filed, as well as for regulating the practice of medicine. [13][14][15] Once a professional-mis-…”

Comment on: Classification of plastic surgery malpractice complaints brought before the São Paulo Medical Board that were treated as professional-misconduct cases: a cross-sectional study

“…The article reported that the number of complaints lodged decreased over the last two years reviewed, although complaints regarding malpractice and poor doctor-patient relationships increased by 10% over the same period. 1 The specialties with the greatest number of lawsuits in the United States are gynecology/ obstetrics, general surgery and internal medicine. 2 The factors that may explain the increasing numbers of lawsuits include the population's greater knowledge about their rights and the influence of the media.…”