Tibble HM, et al. - Authors performed this retrospective study to describe the frequency and nature of complaints involving surgeons compared with physicians. They realized that in comparison to their peers, surgeons were more than twice as likely to attract complaints. This elevated risk arises partly from involvement in surgical procedures and treatments, but also reflects wider concerns about interpersonal skills, professional ethics and substance use. Understanding these patterns seemed helpful in assisting efforts to reduce harm and support safe practice.

Methods

• From 2011 to 2016, a national data set of complaints about surgeons and physicians lodged with medical regulators in Australia was assembled.
• Classification of complaints into 19 issues across four domains was performed: treatment and procedures, other performance, professional conduct and health.
• Assessment of differences regarding complaint risk was performed using incidence rate ratios (IRRs).
• Finally, a multivariate model was utilized to identify predictors of complaints among surgeons.

Results

• For surgeons, the rate of complaints was 2.3 times higher than physicians (112 compared with 48 complaints per 1000 practice years, P < 0.001).
• Authors identified that two-fifths (41%) of the higher rate of complaints among surgeons was related to issues other than treatments and procedures, including fees (IRR = 2.68), substance use (IRR = 2.10), communication (IRR = 1.98) and interpersonal behaviour (IRR = 1.92).
• A higher risk of complaints was observed for male surgeons, as were specialists in orthopaedics, plastic surgery and neurosurgery.