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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Wen-Chen Tsai, Dr PH, Department of Health Services Management, China Medical College, 13 Ln.16 Sec.3 Chungching Rd, Taya, Taichung, 428, Taiwan, 011-886-4-25603149, wtsai@mail.cmc.edu.tw and Pei-Tseng Kung, ScD, Graduate Institute of Health Administration, Taichung Healthcare and Management University, No. 11 Ln. 16 Sec. 3 Chungching Rd., Taya, Taichung, 428, Taiwan.
Objective: with increase in the education level, consciousness of patient right and market competition, the number of malpractice has been increasing in Taiwan. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between medical malpractice and medical care quality in Taiwan. Methods: this study used 371 malpractice cases, which have been reported to the Board of Arbitration in Department of Health between 1992 and 1995 in Taiwan. All of the malpractice cases were obtained from the Department of Health. The Delphi Technique with expert panel was applied for the analysis. The malpractice cases were categorized into four groups, internal medicine, surgery, pediatric, as well as obstetric and gynecologic cases. Three physicians for each group, who are experienced specialists and have a graduate degree in medical care management, reviewed and evaluated the malpractice case. Results: Two hundred sixty nine (73%) malpractice cases are associated with poor medical care quality. Among malpractice cases, 62% of internal medicine cases, 73% of surgery cases, 82% of pediatric cases and 88% of obstetric and gynecologic cases are associated with poor medical care quality. Forty nine percent of cases are strongly related to poor medical care quality. Physician's professional knowledge and skills, not acceptable outcomes, complication, and inadequate communication are the main reasons for the malpractice. Conclusion: the most of the medical malpractice are related to medical care quality. This implies physicians should increase their professional knowledge and practice skills and should have adequate communication with patients is the best way to avoid medical malpractice.
Learning Objectives: The participants in this session will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.