Most common malpractice allegations against physicians

Failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis is the most common reason for malpractice lawsuits, according to Medscape’sPhysicians and Malpractice Report 2023.”

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The report surveyed 3,037 physicians practicing in the United States across 29 specialties.

Here are the most common malpractice allegations against physicians, according to the report:

Malpractice

Percentage

Failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis

35%

Complications from treatment or surgery

27%

Failure to treat or delayed treatment

22%

Poor outcome or disease progression

20%

Wrongful death

15%

Patient suffered from an abnormal injury

10%

Errors in medication administration

3%

Improperly obtained or lack of informed consent

3%

Failure to follow safety procedures

2%

Poor documentation of patient instruction and education

2%

Other

10%

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