An Imperial College London study found patient complaints against physicians may impact physicians' psychological well-being, according to News-Medical.
Here are five insights:
1. Most of the physician's comments cited procedural issues as the most stress-inducing part of the patient complaint.
2. Nearly 25 percent of physicians reported modifying their processional behavior after receiving a patient complaint.
3. Of this figure, 10 physicians contemplated changing careers while seven physicians engaged in other forms of changing their behavior, such as not taking difficult cases.
4. Less than 25 percent of physicians had a positive feeling toward the patient complaint process.
5. Due to the findings, researchers are seeking a more transparent patient complaint process. They also advise providers to have a more open conversation with their patients, as well as providers should have more emotional support during the complaint process.
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