Nature and outcomes of sanctioned medical misconduct in six international jurisdictions: a case series.

ConclusionMedical misconduct varies widely. Risk factors for particular misconduct types are apparent among jurisdictions and practitioner characteristics. The nature of patient harm varied by type of misconduct, with illegal unethical prescribing commonly leading to drug dependency and sexual misconduct leading to psychiatric injury.What is known about the topic?Medical misconduct is a continuing problem. Tribunals and medical boards sanction misconduct to protect patient safety and public trust.What does this paper add?Tribunals and boards differ in misconduct reporting and permitting public access to determinations. Types of misconduct vary between international jurisdictions, practitioner sex, international graduate status and speciality. Risk and physical injury (including death) are the most common patient outcomes. The nature of patient harm varied by type of misconduct, with illegal unethical prescribing commonly leading to drug dependency and sexual misconduct leading to psychiatric injury.What are the implications for practitioners?Medical colleges should tailor trainee programs to address the common types of misconduct within their specialities. Standardisation of misconduct reporting, and report access, across jurisdictions would facilitate ongoing surveillance and intervention evaluation. PMID: 33228847 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Australian Health Review - Category: Hospital Management Authors: Tags: Aust Health Rev Source Type: research