One of the larges areas of concern for orthopedic surgeons is medical liability, which hasn't yet been addressed in healthcare reform, according to an article published in AAOS Now.
Defensive medicine occurs when the physician decides to alter a clinical decision because of the threat of liability, according to the article. Practicing positive defensive medicine could lead to an increase in referrals, follow-up visits, diagnostic testing, additional drugs and an increase in invasive testing. Negative defensive medicine can also occur when physicians are trying to avoid treating certain patients or restricting procedures that are perceived as high risk.
Here are five recent statistics on defensive medicine:
• 90 percent of physicians reported practicing positive defensive medicine in the past 12 months.
• 92.5 percent of surgeons indicated ordering imaging tests to protect themselves from lawsuits.
• A recent Gallup survey showed that physicians attributed 34 percent of healthcare costs to defensive medicine.
• Liability reform is estimated to result in a 5-34 percent reduction in medical expenditures via a reduction in defensive medicine.
• 42 percent of physicians reported having restricted their practice to avoid risky procedures and avoid treating patients with complex conditions or patients perceived to be litigious.
Read the AAOS Now article about defensive medicine.
Read other coverage on medical liability:
- 10 Biggest Concerns Facing Spine Surgeons From Healthcare Reform
- New Initiative to Reduce Medical Liability for Orthopedic, Spine Surgeons: Q&A With Dr. Karen Domino
- Malpractice Concerns Make Physicians See Fewer Patients
Defensive medicine occurs when the physician decides to alter a clinical decision because of the threat of liability, according to the article. Practicing positive defensive medicine could lead to an increase in referrals, follow-up visits, diagnostic testing, additional drugs and an increase in invasive testing. Negative defensive medicine can also occur when physicians are trying to avoid treating certain patients or restricting procedures that are perceived as high risk.
Here are five recent statistics on defensive medicine:
• 90 percent of physicians reported practicing positive defensive medicine in the past 12 months.
• 92.5 percent of surgeons indicated ordering imaging tests to protect themselves from lawsuits.
• A recent Gallup survey showed that physicians attributed 34 percent of healthcare costs to defensive medicine.
• Liability reform is estimated to result in a 5-34 percent reduction in medical expenditures via a reduction in defensive medicine.
• 42 percent of physicians reported having restricted their practice to avoid risky procedures and avoid treating patients with complex conditions or patients perceived to be litigious.
Read the AAOS Now article about defensive medicine.
Read other coverage on medical liability:
- 10 Biggest Concerns Facing Spine Surgeons From Healthcare Reform
- New Initiative to Reduce Medical Liability for Orthopedic, Spine Surgeons: Q&A With Dr. Karen Domino
- Malpractice Concerns Make Physicians See Fewer Patients