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Study Says Texas Surgeons Emotionally Affected by Medical Malpractice
Posted on Nov 26, 2011
You may be familiar with many of the costs of Texas medical malpractice: the victim usually suffers pain, permanent injury, and a life of continuing medical costs. But are the surgeons responsible for the mistakes affected by medical error lawsuits?
A new study conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas has examined how surgeons are affected when facing a medical malpractice lawsuit. The results? Physicians who are accused of surgical mistakes likely face a number of challenges to their personal health in the months surrounding a lawsuit, including feelings of depression and dissatisfaction with their career. Many of the thousands of doctors surveyed said they would liken their feelings to losing a patient, facing financial pressure, or conflicts at home.
The research followed over 7,000 doctors in the Dallas area for two years. During that time, one in four surgeons was sued for a medical mistake.
The study also looked at the types of surgeons most likely to face a medical malpractice lawsuit in Texas, and found that brain surgeons, heart surgeons, colorectal surgeons, general surgeons, and OBGYNs are at the top of the list.
The researchers who conducted the medical malpractice study hope that their report will lead to further investigation of the topic - and eventually help us understand and prevent mental health issues in physicians following a serious medical error.
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