Defining Traits of Physician Assistant Malpractice: Evidence from the National Practitioner Data Bank
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Physician Assistant Studies
Mentor Information
Wallace Boeve
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Location
Kirkhof Center 2270
Start Date
11-4-2012 5:00 PM
Abstract
In the United States, the annual cost of medical malpractice affects the quality and expense of healthcare. As physician assistants continue to increase their presence in the medical field, the available research on physician assistant (PA) malpractice is limited. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of malpractice trends in the PA profession. A retrospective analysis of physician assistant malpractice data was conducted utilizing the National Practitioner Data Bank within the time frame of January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2010. The findings from this analysis revealed the number of payments and monetary amount of payments for PAs did not increase or decrease over the time frame of interest. Diagnosis related allegations had the greatest number of malpractice payments with obstetrics related allegations having the greatest payment amount. Through this study a better understanding was gained of the malpractice market as it relates to PA practice.
Defining Traits of Physician Assistant Malpractice: Evidence from the National Practitioner Data Bank
Kirkhof Center 2270
In the United States, the annual cost of medical malpractice affects the quality and expense of healthcare. As physician assistants continue to increase their presence in the medical field, the available research on physician assistant (PA) malpractice is limited. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of malpractice trends in the PA profession. A retrospective analysis of physician assistant malpractice data was conducted utilizing the National Practitioner Data Bank within the time frame of January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2010. The findings from this analysis revealed the number of payments and monetary amount of payments for PAs did not increase or decrease over the time frame of interest. Diagnosis related allegations had the greatest number of malpractice payments with obstetrics related allegations having the greatest payment amount. Through this study a better understanding was gained of the malpractice market as it relates to PA practice.