A new study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, revealed that the majority of neurosurgeons surveyed avoid conducting surgery for fear of potential medical malpractice lawsuits. In fact, 80% of neurosurgeons admitted to ordering further tests for their patients for defensive reasons (Medical News Today, 2015).
It is no secret that neurosurgery involves high-risk procedures, however, of the neurosurgeons who participated in Northwestern University’s survey, forty percent considered retirement as a result of their “local liability environment.” For reference, neurosurgeons pay approximately one-fifth of their annual income in malpractice liability premiums (Medical News Today, 2015).
To read more about this study, follow this link.
SOURCE:
“Neurosurgeons Avoid Brain Surgery, Conduct Unnecessary Tests ‘out of Lawsuit Fear'” Medical News Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2015.