Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess medicolegal knowledge and physician competency of practices that reduce the risk of litigation.
Background: Physicians involved in lawsuits often report higher levels of burnout, depression and suicidal ideation. It is reported that defensive medicine practices increase the cost of healthcare by billions of dollars each year. Medicolegal education has the potential to be highly beneficial to improve knowledge, wellness and decrease overall healthcare costs, but is often unstructured or self-directed.
Methods: This prospective study utilized a cross-sectional web-based survey administered to a convience sample of current resident and faculty physicians of a large midwestern hospital associated with the local medical university. Survey questions included demographics, knowledge of medicolegal topics, confidence in documentation and risk-mitigation. Responses were included if any knowledge questions were answered.
Results: Of 86 respondents, 81.4% were included in the analysis (Nf70). More respondents were attendings (n=42, 60%). Fifty-six (80%) reported practicing a high-risk subspecialty. The majority of respondents reported some training on medicolegal topics (n=52, 74.3%). Fifty-four respondents (77.1%) scored less than 75% of the knowledge questions correctly. Of those scoring less than 75% of the knowledge questions correctly, 85.7% (24/28) were residents and 71.4% (30/42) were attendings. Of respondents reporting prior medicolegal training, 25% (13/52) answered at least 75% of knowledge questions correctly.
Discussions: There is a gap in education regarding medicolegal topics in the medical community, despite self-reported training. More structured training and education covering basic medicolegal topics such as proper documentation and the process of a lawsuit may be beneficial.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2022, Resident, Faculty, Residency Director, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, GME, CME, Assessment, Quality & Safety, General Ob-Gyn,
Alexandra Meloccaro, MD, The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita; Jennifer Keomany, MPH; Erin Janke, MPH, CPPS, CPHRM; Taylor Bertschy, DO
