Neurosurgery Tops Malpractice Risk

Chi, John H.

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The highest proportion of physicians facing a claim was neurosurgery at 19.1%, followed by cardiothoracic surgery (18.9%) and general surgery (15.3%). The lowest proportions were in family medicine (5.2%), pediatrics (3.1%) and psychiatry (2.6%). Indemnity payments varied by specialty, with neurosurgery-related indemnity payments ranking 4th with an average of $344 811. For high risk specialties such as neurosurgery, 88% of physicians were likely to be sued by age 45, with that number rising to 99% by age 65.

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