Malpractice

A systematic review which examined malpractice claims in ambulatory settings reviewed studies published in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and France and found the majority of claims come from diagnostic errors and medication errors. The most common delayed or missed diagnoses involved cancer and myocardial infarction for adults and meningitis for children. Medication errors were multifactorial, with prescriber, patient and system factors all playing a part. Family medicine practitioners had the highest rate of malpractice claims; 76% may expect a claim during their career. The good news is claims are not always successful; only 31% result in compensation.

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