Fear of lawsuits cause Massachusetts doctors to order unnecessary tests
Patient Safety Monitor Alert
November 19, 2008
The Massachusetts Medical Society recently surveyed 900 of its members and found that 83% of physicians practice "defensive medicine", reports The Boston Globe.
Costing the state $1.4 billion, doctors are ordering 18% to 28% of their tests, procedures and referrals and consultations, as well as 13% of their hospitalization unnecessarily, out of a fear of being sued. On top of this, 38% of physicians, focusing mainly on orthopedic surgeons, obstetricians/gynecologists, and general surgeons have cut back on the number of high risk services performed for fear of being sued for malpractice.
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For the full survey results from the Massachusetts Medical Society please click here.
