Dermatology's malpractice experience: clinical settings for risk management.

Abstract

Dermatologists need objective information that will help them make rational risk management decisions. We asked, "What can be learned from the limited sources available regarding the clinical situations associated with malpractice litigation against dermatologists?" We searched 2 legal databases, one jury verdict and settlement reporter, and reviewed and analyzed a major report from an association of physician insurers. A wide variety of clinical circumstances give rise to malpractice claims. Melanoma is still associated with high risk, and common conditions are associated with relative claim frequency. The clinical details currently available do not encourage optimal responses to reports of malpractice cases. Information that clinicians can use in their own risk management efforts can be derived from available sources, but more reliable objective data is needed.