The Basics of Malpractice
What percentage of physicians across all specialties face a malpractice claim annually?
a) 5.3%
b) 7.4%
c) 10.1%
d) 12.8%
7.4%
Which specialty has the highest percentage of physicians facing a malpractice claim annually, and what is that percentage?
a) Obstetrics, 15.7%
b) Thoracic surgery, 18.9%
c) Neurosurgery, 19.1%
d) General surgery, 12.5%
Neurosurgery, at 19.1%
Pediatricians face fewer claims but have high indemnity payments. What is the average indemnity payment for pediatric malpractice claims?
a) $400,235
b) $520,923
c) $482,613
d) $575,482
$520,923
Which of the following is NOT one of the 4 D's of medical malpractice?
a) Duty
b) Dereliction of duty
c) Disclosure of information
d) Direct cause of damage
Disclosure of information
Which of the following is an example of defensive medicine?
a) Ordering an unnecessary CT scan to avoid legal liability
b) Discussing risks and benefits of treatment with a patient
c) Providing a second opinion on a patient’s diagnosis
d) Reporting a colleague's negligence to the state medical board
Ordering an unnecessary CT scan to avoid legal liability
By age 65, what percentage of physicians in high-risk specialties are projected to face a malpractice claim?
a) 85%
b) 92%
c) 99%
d) 75%
99%
Obstetricians and gynecologists face a high malpractice risk. What is the annual percentage of obstetricians and gynecologists facing a malpractice claim?
a) 11%
b) 14%
c) 9%
d) 17%
11%
What is the annual percentage of family medicine physicians facing a malpractice claim?
a) 6.7%
b) 3.9%
c) 5.2%
d) 4.8%
5.2%
What is the first step physicians should take when they witness a colleague's malpractice?
a) Confront the colleague directly.
b) Document the incident and report later.
c) Report the issue to hospital authorities.
d) Consult with a legal advisor first.
Report the issue to hospital authorities
What should a colleague do if they suspect a physician is impaired by substance use or mental health issues?
a) Immediately notify federal authorities
b) Report their concerns to the hospital's legal department
c) Contact the Physician Health Program (PHP)
d) Avoid reporting to protect the physician's reputation
c) Contact the Physician Health Program (PHP)
What is the mean indemnity payment across all specialties?
a) $274,887
b) $175,643
c) $389,214
d) $300,567
$274,887
This specialty has one of the highest risks for claims. What is the percentage of physicians facing a malpractice claim annually in thoracic–cardiovascular surgery?
a) 15.5%
b) 18.9%
c) 21.3%
d) 13.2%
18.9%
Pathologists have high indemnity payments. What is the mean payment for malpractice claims in pathology?
a) $300,112
b) $415,623
c) $383,509
d) $350,824
$383,509
Which of the 4 D's of malpractice requires proving a direct link between a physician’s action and a patient’s harm?
a) Duty
b) Dereliction of duty
c) Disclosure of information
d) Direct cause of damage
Direct Cause
True or False: Defensive medicine increases patient safety by ensuring all possible tests are ordered.
False. Defensive medicine often increases costs and may expose patients to unnecessary risks.
What percentage of malpractice claims overall result in a payment to plaintiffs?
a) 15%
b) 22%
c) 35%
d) 45%
22%
Which specialty has the lowest annual percentage of physicians facing malpractice claims, and what is that percentage?
a) Dermatology, 4.1%
b) Family Medicine, 5.2%
c) Psychiatry, 2.6%
d) Pathology, 3.3%
Psychiatry, at 2.6%
What is the median indemnity payment across all specialties, and how does it compare to the mean?
a) $200,000, slightly lower than the mean
b) $111,749, significantly lower than the mean
c) $150,000, similar to the mean
d) $89,500, significantly lower than the mean
$111,749, significantly lower than the mean due to outlier cases with large settlements.
True or False: HIPAA violations are typically considered medical malpractice
False. HIPAA violations are separate from malpractice but may serve as evidence in some cases
What is the primary ethical concern with practicing defensive medicine?
a) It increases healthcare costs.
b) It exposes patients to unnecessary risks.
c) It prioritizes legal protection over the patient’s best interest.
d) It undermines evidence-based practice.
It prioritizes legal protection over the patient's best interest.