[Epidemiological general profile of complaints treated at the National Medical Arbitration Commission. 1996-2007]

To analyze medical complaints over a period of 11 years, for making recommendations for prevention and improving planning for responding.

We studied the medical complaints at the National Medical Arbitration Commission (Conamed, per its acronym in Spanish) between 1996 and 2007 using descriptive statistics to identify their general profile in relation to the variables of time, place and person. We also studied the frequency of evident medical malpractice as well as the severity of the damage it produces.

The request for responses to medical complaints increased between 1996 and 2007 and there was less demand between July and December. Two states in the country account for 69.7% of the complaints and 74.0% are from public institutions. Fifty-eight percent come from women and the 25-34 and 65+ age groups have the highest percentage. We found in 27.0% of the complaints there is evidence of medical malpractice and obstetrics and gynecology have the highest percentage of complaints, physical harm and severity of injury. Complaints about treatment are nearly four times more than diagnosis.

It is necessary to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment and identify cost-effective measures to reduce medical malpractice and the severity of physical damage in patients.