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Association Between American Board of Surgery Initial Certification and Medical Malpractice Payments
Andrew T Jones1, Beatriz Ibáñez1, Carol L Barry1
1American Board of Surgery, Philadelphia, PA.
Objective:
To measure associations between surgeons' examination performance and obtaining American Board of Surgery certification with the likelihood of having medical malpractice payments.
Background:
Further research is needed to establish a broader understanding of the association of board certification and patient and practice outcomes.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis using propensity score-matched surgeons who attempted to obtain American Board of Surgery certification. Surgeons who completed residency between 2000 and 2019 (n=910) and attempted to become certified were categorized as certified or failing to obtain certification. In addition, groups were categorized as either passing or failing their first attempt on the qualifying and certifying examinations. Malpractice payment reports were dichotomized for surgeons who either had a payment report or not.
Results:
The hazard rate (HR) of malpractice payment reports was significantly greater for surgeons who attempted and failed to obtain certification [HR=1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.28-2.74] than for surgeons who were certified. Moreover, surgeons who failed either the qualifying (HR=1.64; 95% CI, 1.14-2.37) or certifying examination (HR=1.72; 95% CI, 1.14-2.60) had significantly higher malpractice payment HRs than those who passed the examinations on their first attempt.
Conclusions:
Failing to obtain board certification was associated with a higher rate of medical malpractice payments. In addition, failing examinations in the certification examination process on the first attempt was also associated with higher rates of medical malpractice payments. This study provides further evidence that board certification is linked to potential indicators for patient outcomes and practice quality.
Insights
Surgeons failing to achieve board certification or pass their initial certification exams had higher rates of medical malpractice payments. This highlights the link between surgeon certification and patient care quality indicators.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Quality
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Board certification is a key indicator of surgeon competence.
- Understanding the link between certification and practice outcomes is crucial for patient safety.
- Previous research indicates a need for broader understanding of board certification's impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between surgeons' examination performance and American Board of Surgery certification.
- To determine the relationship between certification and the likelihood of medical malpractice payments.
- To investigate if examination outcomes correlate with malpractice claims.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 910 surgeons completing residency between 2000-2019.
- Propensity score matching was used to compare certified vs. uncertified surgeons.
- Malpractice payment reports were analyzed in relation to examination pass/fail status.
Main Results:
- Surgeons failing to obtain certification had a significantly higher hazard rate for malpractice payments (HR=1.87).
- Failing the qualifying examination on the first attempt increased malpractice payment risk (HR=1.64).
- Failing the certifying examination on the first attempt also increased malpractice payment risk (HR=1.72).
Conclusions:
- Failing to obtain board certification is associated with increased medical malpractice payments.
- Poor performance on initial certification exams correlates with higher malpractice payment rates.
- Board certification serves as a potential indicator of practice quality and patient outcomes.
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