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Patient complaints top concern for doctors

Released 15/02/2012

A medical defense union reports a surge in doctor calls on patient complaints surrounding confidentiality and compensation

Patient complaints accounted for 22% of doctor queries to medical defense union

Patient complaints were the big issue for doctors who contacted the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) for advice in 2011 with more than a fifth of all medico-legal queries on this topic.

For the sixth successive year, medical defence organisation MDDUS has seen a rise in the number of calls from members looking for advice on medico-legal matters.

The team of medical advisers at UK-wide MDDUS handled a record total of contacts from those seeking help in 2011, up more than five per cent on the previous year.

Members contacted MDDUS via telephone, letter or email for advice on a vast range of issues from ethical dilemmas in clinical practice to GMC matters.

Patient complaints accounted for the most common reason for members to get in touch (22% of all contacts), with nine per cent of enquiries regarding confidentiality and seven per cent relating to claims for compensation.

While a steady growth in MDDUS membership throughout the UK partly explains the rise in calls, MDDUS medical adviser Dr Barry Parker points to other trends in the last year.

"One area where we are noticing a growing number of calls is in relation to raising concerns about professional colleagues, an issue that has been the subject of recent detailed guidance provided by the General Medical Council," he said.

"In addition, there have been a large number of enquiries relating to disclosure of information in potential child abuse cases, another topic that has been the focus of a GMC consultation process."

General practice is becoming more regulated and this is directly reflected in requests for advice. "Doctors appear to be more risk aware and proactive in dealing with potential problems," Dr Parker added.

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