Table 2 Descriptive Analysis of responses to 7 questions discussing malpractice claims against OB/GYN practitioners (n = 150)
From: Experience of obstetricians and gynecologists in the management of medicolegal cases in Egypt
Q | Questions discussing malpractice claims against OB/GYN practitioners | No. | % |
|---|---|---|---|
7 | Are you accused before of a malpractice claim? a | ||
Yes | 42 | 28.0% | |
No | 108 | 72.0% | |
8 | According to your observations, rate of malpractice claims in last years against OB/GYN a | ||
Increasing | 131 | 87.3% | |
Stationary | 17 | 11.3% | |
Decreasing | 2 | 1.3% | |
9 | Cause(s) of increasing malpractice claims? (Optional according to response of Q2) b | ||
Tendency of some patients to obtain compensation from physicians | 91 | 60.7% | |
Poor awareness of patients of the doctors' role in their management | 65 | 43.3% | |
Poor doctor-patient communication | 49 | 32.7% | |
Tendency of some physicians to achieve financial profit at expense of proper management | 44 | 29.3% | |
Decrease the efficiency of new generations of physicians | 36 | 24.0% | |
Increase awareness of patients regarding their rights | 29 | 19.3% | |
10 | What are common OB/GYN practitioners errors? b | ||
Intra-operative problems | 90 | 60.0% | |
Failure of prediction and management of possible complications. | 62 | 41.3% | |
Failure to obtain valid consent | 53 | 35.3% | |
Failure/delayed diagnosis | 38 | 25.3% | |
Extension of surgery beyond consent | 28 | 18.7% | |
Failure/delayed treatment | 28 | 18.7% | |
Operator error | 23 | 15.3% | |
Failed sterilization | 22 | 14.7% | |
11 | What are common harms that make patients accuse OB/GYN practitioners? b | ||
Neonatal deaths | 70 | 46.7% | |
Fetal injuries | 69 | 46.0% | |
Maternal deaths | 67 | 44.7% | |
Bowel injury | 64 | 42.7% | |
Bladder injury | 46 | 30.7% | |
Ureteric ligation/ injury | 31 | 20.7% | |
Secondary Infertility | 24 | 16.0% | |
Vascular injury | 21 | 14.0% | |
Incontinence | 12 | 8.0% | |
12 | What are measures done in your institutes to protect OB/GYN practitioners against claim? b | ||
Proper documentation | 91 | 60.7% | |
Training/ orientation of physicians regarding medicolegal issues | 60 | 40.0% | |
Regular meeting to discuss complicated cases and failure incidences | 59 | 39.3% | |
Communication/ counseling of patients | 55 | 36.7% | |
Increase educational standards of physicians | 45 | 30.0% | |
Implementation of quality standards for management of cases | 32 | 21.3% | |
Medical Insurance of physicians | 29 | 19.3% | |
13 | Physician is accused in malpractice claim if following element (s) is/are established: ** | ||
Injury or harm to the patient | 81 | 54.0% | |
A causal relation between medical error and patient harm | 67 | 44.7% | |
A medical error done by physicians | 55 | 36.7% | |
The professional duty of care of the patient | 21 | 14.0% |