Beyond medical errors: exploring the interpersonal dynamics in physician-patient relationships linked to medico-legal complaints.

Previous research suggests that medico-legal complaints often arise from various factors influencing patient dissatisfaction, including medical errors, physician-patient relationships, communication, trust, informed consent, perceived quality of care, and continuity of care. However, these findings are not typically derived from actual patients' cases. This study aims to identify factors impacting the interpersonal dynamics between physicians and patients using real patient cases to understand how patients perceive doctor-patient relational problems that can lead to dissatisfaction and subsequent medico-legal complaints. We conducted a retrospective study using data from closed medical regulatory authority complaint cases from the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. The study population included patients who experienced sepsis and survived, with complaints written by the patients themselves. A multi-stage standardized thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's approach was employed. Two researchers independently coded the files to ensure the reliability of the identified codes and themes. Thematic analysis of 50 patient cases revealed four broad themes: (1) Ethics in physician's work, (2) Quality of care, (3) Communication, and (4) Healthcare system/policy impacting patient satisfaction. Key sub-themes included confidentiality, honesty, patient involvement, perceived negligence, perceived lack of concern, active engagement and empathy, transparency and clarity, informed consent, respect and demeanor, lack of resources, long wait times, and insufficient time with physicians. This study identifies and categorizes various factors impacting relational issues between physicians and patients, aiming to increase patient satisfaction and reduce medico-legal cases. Improving physicians' skills in areas such as communication, ethical practices, and patient involvement, as well as addressing systemic problems like long wait times, can enhance the quality of care and reduce medico-legal complaints. Additional training in communication and other skills may help promote stronger relationships between physicians and patients.

Mostafapour M ，Smith JD ，Fortier JH ，Garber GE ... -  《BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH》

Exploring the dynamics of physician-patient relationships: Factors affecting patient satisfaction and complaints.

This review identifes the factors influencing the relationship between physicians and patients that can lead to patients' dissatisfaction and medical complaints. Utilizing a systemic approach 92 studies were retrieved which included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method studies. Through a thematic analysis of the literature, we identified three interrelated main themes that can influence the relationship between physicians and patients, patients' satisfaction, and the decision to file a medico-legal complaint. The main themes include patient and physician characteristics; the interpersonal relationship between physicians and patients; and the health care system and policies, with relevant subthemes. These themes are demonstrated in a descriptive model. The review suggests areas of focus for physicians who may wish to increase their awareness around the potential sources of relational problems with their patients. Identifying these issues may assist in improvements in the therapeutic relationship with patients, can reduce their medico-legal risk, and enhance the quality of their clinical practice. The findings can also be utilized to support andragogical principles for medical learners. The article can serve as a structured framework to identify potential problems and gaps to design and test effective interventions to mitigate these potential relational problems between physician-patient.

Mostafapour M ，Fortier JH ，Garber G 《-》

College complaints against resident physicians in Canada: a retrospective analysis of Canadian Medical Protective Association data from 2013 to 2017.

An understanding of regulatory complaints against resident physicians is important for practice improvement. We describe regulatory college complaints against resident physicians using data from the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). We conducted a retrospective analysis of college complaint cases involving resident doctors closed by the CMPA, a mutual medicolegal defence organization for more than 100 000 physicians, representing an estimated 95% of Canadian physicians. Eligible cases were those closed between 2008 and 2017 (for time trends) or between 2013 and 2017 (for descriptive analyses). To explore the characteristics of college cases, we extracted the reason for complaint, the case outcome, whether the complaint involved a procedure, and whether the complaint stemmed from a single episode or multiple episodes of care. We also conducted a 10-year trend analysis of cases closed from 2008 to 2017, comparing cases involving resident doctors with cases involving only nonresident physicians. Our analysis included 142 cases that involved 145 patients. Over the 10-year period, college complaints involving residents increased significantly (p = 0.003) from 5.4 per 1000 residents in 2008 to 7.9 per 1000 in 2017. While college complaints increased for both resident and nonresident physicians over the study period, the increase in complaints involving residents was significantly lower than the increase across all nonresident CMPA members (p < 0.001). For cases from the descriptive analysis (2013-2017), the top complaint was deficient patient assessment (69/142, 48.6%). Some patients (22/145, 15.2%) experienced severe outcomes. Most cases (135/142, 97.9%) did not result in severe physician sanctions. Our classification of complaints found 106 of 163 (65.0%) involved clinical problems, 95 of 163 (58.3%) relationship problems (e.g., communication) and 67 of 163 (41.1%) professionalism problems. In college decisions, 36 of 163 (22.1%) had a classification of clinical problem, 66 of 163 (40.5%) a patient-physician relationship problem and 63 of 163 (38.7%) a professionalism problem. In 63 of 163 (38.7%) college decisions, the college had no criticism. Problems with communication and professionalism feature prominently in resident college complaints, and we note the potential for mismatch between patient and health care provider perceptions of care. These results may direct medical education to areas of potential practice improvement.

Crosbie C ，McDougall A ，Pangli H ，Abu-Laban RB ，Calder LA ... -  《-》

[The origin of informed consent].

Mallardi V 《Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica》

Poor professionalism identified through investigation of unsolicited healthcare complaints.

van Mook WN ，Gorter SL ，Kieboom W ，Castermans MG ，de Feijter J ，de Grave WS ，Zwaveling JH ，Schuwirth LW ，van der Vleuten CP ... -  《-》