By Andy Baer, M.D.
MagMutual Chief Medical Officer
On average, physicians spend 10% of their careers dealing with open, unresolved malpractice claims. An understanding of the risks doctors face in their practice and how to avoid them is a key element in improving patient care and preventing claims in all specialties.
To help with the dual goal of improving patient care and reducing claims, MagMutual has developed a series of reports on the causes of claims and claim payments for the largest specialties we insure. The reports discuss the top drivers of frequency and severity associated with specialty-specific malpractice claims, developed from an analysis of MagMutual closed claims data, data from the National Practitioner Databank (NPDB) and actuarial analysis.
Perhaps more important, we also provide effective clinical and non-clinical risk reduction strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce the likelihood of a claim. Risk reduction strategies are based on information from experienced physicians in each specialty, analysis of claims data and accepted clinical practice guidelines.
The risk reports are available in 10 primary specialties: cardiology, diagnostic radiology, emergency medicine, family/general practice, gastroenterology, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, orthopaedic surgery and pediatrics. More will be introduced in 2023.
With the help of the information in MagMutual’s reports, you can decrease your exposure and improve outcomes. If you’re interested in downloading a report in your specialty, visit the following webpage: https://www.magmutual.com/risk-reports-alp/.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article does not constitute legal, medical or any other professional advice. No attorney-client relationship is created and you should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this article without seeking legal or other professional advice.
