U.S. physicians on the defensive?

Interesting data from the latest on the series of national physician surveys conducted by Jackson Healthcare on the impact of defensive medicine; some key findings:

• 76 percent of respondents reported that defensive medicine decreases patients’ access to healthcare.
• 72 percent of respondents reported that the practice of defensive medicine negatively impacts patient care.
• 71 percent of respondents reported that defensive medicine has had a negative effect on the way they view patients.
• 67 percent of respondents reported that defensive medicine comes between the doctor and patient.
• 57 percent of respondents reported that defensive medicine hampers their decisionmaking ability. 
• Patients most likely affected by defensive medicine are 1) those requiring surgery, 2) women and 3) those visiting emergency rooms.
• Defensive medicine is now being taught as standard medical practice. The survey found that 87 percent of current residents and fellows reported being taught to avoid lawsuits, compared with 48 percent of total respondents.

Click here to access add'l information on this survey as well as other surveys conducted by Jackson Healthcare.