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Defensive practice among psychiatrists: a questionnaire survey
1Stockton Learning Disability Service, UK. kirsty_passmore@hotmail.com
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|December 24, 2002
Summary
Seventy-five percent of psychiatrists surveyed reported defensive practice in the past month. Junior psychiatrists were more prone to defensive actions, influenced by prior complaints or critical incidents.
Area of Science:
- Medical Practice
- Psychiatry
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Defensive practice in healthcare is under-researched, particularly within hospital settings.
- Understanding the prevalence and drivers of defensive medicine is crucial for patient care and system efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of defensive practice among psychiatrists.
- To investigate the relationship between defensive practice, seniority, and prior experiences.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire survey was distributed to 154 psychiatrists in the Northern Region of England.
- The survey assessed defensive practice behaviors and contributing factors.
Main Results:
- A response rate of 62.3% (96 psychiatrists) was achieved.
- 75% of respondents reported engaging in defensive actions within the preceding month.
- Junior psychiatrists exhibited higher rates of defensive practice, with factors like prior complaints, critical incidents, and legal claims being significant contributors.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of defensive practice exists among psychiatrists, especially junior ones.
- Lack of confidence and experience may contribute to defensive behaviors in trainees.
- Improving training and fostering a "no blame" environment for handling complaints and investigations are recommended to mitigate defensive practice.