Descriptive Analysis of Medical Malpractice Complaints from General Surgeons in Tehran 2012 - 2013; a Short Report

One of the most important doctors’ problem is related to dissatisfaction and complaints of patients to jurisdiction and its results on their private and career that unfortunately has been increased significantly, despite of science and technology improvements recently. Any how the most important factors in the conviction of the General Surgeons are: Increasing patient population, increasing of Doctors and their Surgeries, involvement of the General Surgeons in Plastic surgery like cosmetic surgery as well as increasing the compensation rate and community awareness.
Complaint records of General Surgeons during April 2014 till end of 2013 (20 months) which raised in the Tehran Legal Medicine Committee have been investigated and all related information have been filled in Check List and afterwards analyzed.
Since April 2012 until end of 2013, “1902 complaints” have been recorded which in 205 cases (10.77%) of those, the General Surgeons have been involved.137 cases (66.8%) out of 205 cases malpractice have been recorded that 88 cases (42.9%) were related to cosmetic surgery and 117 cases (57.1%) were related to other surgeries. Highest level of malpractice based on type as following: lack of skills, imprudence and incaution.91 out of 205 cases (44.4%) have been faculty members and 114 persons (55.6%) have not been. 119 cases (58%) of complaints have been related to private centers and 75 cases (36.6%) non- academic governmental centers and 11 cases (5.4%) academic centers.161 persons (78.5%) have been male surgeons and44 persons (21.5%) female surgeons.
No interference in the other specialty and subspecialty fields by general surgeons such as ENT and plastic surgery, scientific and technical skills improvements, proper justification of patients before surgery about possible complications and possibility of incomplete cure as well as relationship improvement between surgeon and patient could impact to reduce of complaints and no conviction of general surgeons.