Trends in Medical Malpractice in the Private Health Sector in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Público

Abstract

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: About 10% of patients around the world are affected by medical malpractice. Understanding the causes of medical malpractice and its distribution over different medical specialties in Saudi Arabia's private health sector is important for policy makers to institute control measures as the country undergoes privatization of its health sector. Therefore, we assessed the trend in medical malpractice in the private health sector in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during a five-year period from 2011 to 2015 and its distribution by medical specialties and health professional-related characteristics.

METHODS: We performed a descriptive secondary data analysis on medical practice cases reported by the Medical Jurisprudence Committee (MJC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the private health sector during 2011-2015.

RESULTS: There were 368 medical malpractice cases reported to the MJC during 2011-2015. The trend of medical errors was fluctuating with the lowest number reported in 2012 (53 cases, 14.4%) and the highest in 2014 (99 cases, 26.9%). The mean number of litigations was 73.6 cases annually.24.5 % of the total litigations resulted in severe outcomes; 10.9 % of those outcomes were disabilities and 13.6 % were deaths. Hospitals accounted for most of the cases (77.7 % of the cases) and clinics accounted for the rest (22.3%). Obstetrics and gynecology contributed the highest number of cases (17.9%) followed by general surgery (12.8%), while ophthalmology and urology contributed the lowest percentages, 2.9% and 2.7%, respectively. More male defendants (70%) were involved than females (30%), and more non-Saudis than Saudis, based on their larger representation in the private health sector workforce. But when occurrence rates were estimated, taking in account the workforce size within gender and nationality groups, men and women were found to contribute equally to medical errors, whereas the contribution of Saudis was 2-fold higher than non-Saudis. The average duration of the lawsuit in the MJC from receipt till the issuance of the final verdict was 15.2 months.

CONCLUSION: This study described the pattern of malpractice cases by medical specialty, health facility and health professional-related characteristics, and the duration of medical litigation. This data is useful for policy makers to institute appropriate control measures.

Table of Contents

Tables of contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................1

CHAPTER 2: LITRATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................5

Epidemiology of Medical Errors.............................................................................................5

Consequences of Medical Malpractice...................................................................................7

Global Medical Malpractice System......................................................................................8

Medical Malpractice in the Middle East..................................................................................8

Epidemiology of Medical Malpractice in Saud Arabia..............................................................9

Medical Litigation in Saudi Arabia .......................................................................................11

Types of Medical Liability in Saudi Arabia............................................................................13

CHAPTER 3: MANUSCRIPT.................................................................................................15

Abstract ...........................................................................................................................15

Introduction......................................................................................................................16

Methods...........................................................................................................................19

Result...............................................................................................................................21

Discussion........................................................................................................................23

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................32

REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................35

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Palabra Clave	Medical Malpractice Litigation Health Proffessionals
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Farhat, Ghada N, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Does not apply (no collaborating organization)

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