Doctors practise defensively over fears of media criticism

DOCTORS wary of negative portrayal in the media are ordering unnecessary investigations and avoiding treating certain conditions.

A survey of 450 doctors by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) found 75% practise defensive medicine and may avoid performing complicated procedures in order to prevent complaints and claims. Some 74% — cited potential media criticism of the profession as a contributory factor to practising defensively.

The study found more than a quarter of respondents chose to stop treating certain conditions and performing certain procedures to prevent complaints and claims.

On the upside, the threat of being under the spotlight or having a complaint made against them appeared to have a positive affect on record keeping — 62% said they kept more detailed records and 61% were more careful to ensure that follow-up arrangements were in place.

The survey, reported in the Irish Medical Times also found that:

nNearly a third of respondents had a complaint made against them.

nSome 16% had faced a claim of negligence.

n9% had an adverse finding following investigation. Of that 9%, more than half felt the finding was unjustified.

While more than 70% were concerned that a complaint could lead to an investigation, only 8% had been investigated.

Dr Stephanie Bown, MPS’s director of policy and communications, said in their experience, many claims originated not because of sub-standard care, but because of poor communication between the doctor and the patient.

“Medicine is not risk free. As a doctor you cannot always guarantee a successful outcome for your patient, but if you have managed your patient’s treatment appropriately and communicated effectively from the beginning, and documented this, it will reduce the risk of the patient bringing a successful complaint or a claim,” said Dr Bown.

Doctors should not let their fear of being sued affect the way they deliver care, Dr Bown said.

To help their clients deal with the media, the MPS has launched the Irish Media Handling Guide.

The guide says that while it is “difficult to give guidance for every situation” there are “a few general principles” that doctors can follow.