Neurosurgeons report practicing defensive medicine
To minimize malpractice risk, 45% of neurosurgeons have eliminated high-risk procedures, according to a recent survey of 1,028 neurosurgeons.1
“Our study captures the long-understood sentiment shared amongst physicians that malpractice liability results in defensive medicine practices, and ultimately, higher healthcare expenditure,” says Brian V. Nahed, MD, the study’s lead author and an attending neurosurgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Nahed notes that this survey was the first national one of neurosurgeons on defensive medicine practices and that the findings echo those identified in previous research done on other specialties. “As concerns of medical liability grow, further defensive practices will result in increased costs in healthcare, fewer specialists taking on high-risk procedures, and ultimately limit patient access to care,” he predicts.
Respondents engaged in defensive medicine practices by ordering additional imaging studies (72%), laboratory tests (67%), referring patients to consultants (66%), or prescribing medications (40%). Malpractice premiums were considered a “major or extreme” burden by 64% of respondents.
“Meaningful healthcare reform must address the growing medical liability and malpractice risk physicians face, through tort reform,” argues Nahed.
Reference
- Nahed BV, Babu MA, Smith TR, et al. Malpractice liability and defensive medicine: a national survey of neurosurgeons. PLoS One 2012; 7(6):e39237. Epub 2012 Jun 22.
Source
For more information on defensive medicine practices, contact:
- Brian V. Nahed, MD, Attending Neurosurgeon, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Phone: (617) 726-2937. Fax: (617) 643-4113. Email: [email protected].
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