Early identification and response model for malpractice prevention

The Foundation's IMPACS Program - Improving Malpractice Prevention and Compensation Systems - was designed for states, health care organizations, and researchers for the development, demonstration, and evaluation of innovative mechanisms for compensating persons injured by medical care.This project will address the fundamental problem that some doctors who deliver technically adequate treatment lack interpersonal skills associated with quality care. Preliminary research demonstrated that such doctors are more likely to be sued. Many of these doctors blame their malpractice experience on "bad luck of the patient draw" rather than their own behavior. The problem is compounded, and perhaps reinforced, by the current lack of a data-based feedback system that: (1) correlates personal behavior with patient dissatisfaction, and (2) prospectively identifies health professionals at increased risk of malpractice claiming. This problem may persist because medical centers have not provided feedback or interventions to correct the problem. The goals of this project are to: (1) based on the investigators' research on why people sue their doctors, identify and intervene with health care providers at high risk of malpractice claims; (2) evaluate whether it is possible to reduce malpractice costs by intervening to improve the quality of interpersonal aspects of health care; and (3) test the prevention model's applicability in academic medical centers.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $667,291.00

Awarded on: 12/15/1995

Time frame: 1/1/1996 - 12/31/2001

Grant Number: 28592