Vocational and psychosocial predictors of medical negligence claims among Australian doctors: a prospective cohort analysis of the MABEL survey

Abstract

ObjectiveTo understand the association between medical negligence claims and doctors’ sex, age, specialty, working hours, work location, personality, social supports, family circumstances, self-rated health, self-rated life satisfaction and presence of recent injury or illness.Design and settingProspective cohort study of Australian doctors.Participants12 134 doctors who completed the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life survey between 2013 and 2019.Primary outcome measureDoctors named as a defendant in a medical negligence claim in the preceding 12 months.Results649 (5.35%) doctors reported being named in a medical negligence claim during the study period. In addition to previously identified demographic factors (sex, age and specialty), we identified the following vocational and psychosocial risk factors for claims: working full time (OR=1.48, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.94) or overtime hours (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.23), working in a regional centre (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.08), increasing job demands (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.30), low self-rated life satisfaction (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.91) and recent serious personal injury or illness (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.72). Having an agreeable personality was mildly protective (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.00). When stratified according to sex, we found that working in a regional area, low self-rated life satisfaction and not achieving work–life balance predicted medical negligence claims in male, but not female, doctors. However, working more than part-time hours and having a recent personal injury or illness predicted medical negligence claims in female, but not male, doctors. Increasing age predicted claims more strongly in male doctors. Personality type predicted claims in both male and female doctors.ConclusionsModifiable risk factors contribute to an increased risk of medical negligence claims among doctors in Australia. Creating more supportive work environments and targeting interventions that improve doctors’ health and well-being could reduce the risk of medical negligence claims and contribute to improved patient safety.

Prediction of Medical Disputes Between Health Care Workers and Patients in Terms of Hospital Legal Construction Using Machine Learning Techniques: Externally Validated Cross-Sectional Study

“…Conversely, legal training organized by hospitals, having publicity of the rule of law for hospital staff, participating in legal training organized by hospitals, being willing to participate in law training organized by hospitals, and having a well-established rule of law in the hospital were found to be protective factors. These findings are consistent with the current literature, which also elucidated that conducting standardized high-level hospitals [37], providing preservice skills training [38], having older physicians [10], male physicians [10,11,39], a higher professional level [11], and implementing specific and appropriate laws and regulations [40] were significantly associated with medical disputes. Higher-ranked physicians often face heavier workload, which can adversely affect their health and the quality of their services [11].…”

“…Previous studies have highlighted that institutional failures in the legal framework, inappropriate internal incentives, patient-physician mistrust, heavy physician workloads, and medical malpractice are risk factors [6][7][8] contributing to medical disputes. Conversely, being female, implementing positive psychology interventions, and adopting healthy lifestyle management responsibilities are protective factors for medical disputes [9][10][11][12]. Previously, we found that hospital legal constructions play an important role in regulating medical disputes from the perspective of hospital administrators [12].…”

The Efficacy of Rule of Law Publicity Short Video Platforms in the Prevention of Medical Disputes Among Healthcare Professionals: A Propensity Score Analysis

“…We identified several unmodifiable risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of medical disputes among healthcare professionals. These findings are consistent with previous studies, 2,3,15,[21][22][23] which further strengthen their significance. Recognizing and addressing these unmodifiable risk factors can empower healthcare institutions and policymakers to develop targeted interventions and strategies that effectively address the specific challenges faced by healthcare professionals at higher risk of medical disputes.…”

Characteristics and risk factors of pharmacist misconduct in New Zealand: a retrospective nationwide analysis

“…Poor mental health states, including stress, depression, burnout, and poor overall well-being, have been associated with medical error [ 31 , 32 ]. A recent study highlights that acute and recent injury may contribute to this risk, which mirrors these research findings and reinforces prior recommendations to intensify preventive efforts aimed at improving doctors’ health and well-being [ 33 ].…”