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Study evaluates lawsuit risk factors
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A study in which comanagement was cited as a risk factor for incurring lawsuits has spurred contention within the eye care community.
The primary focus of the study, “Medical malpractice predictors and risk factors for ophthalmologists,” was the relationship between high-volume refractive surgery practices and increased risk of lawsuits. Authored by Richard L. Abbott, MD, and colleagues, it was published in the November 2003 issue of Ophthalmology.
Although critics – including ophthalmologists — have not disputed the study’s data, many have questioned the statistical analysis and interpretation of the findings.
“When you analyze the data, you can come up with a lot of different conclusions. It all depends on how you apply the logistic regression,” said Michael Twa, OD. Next month’s issue of Primary Care Optometry News will feature in-depth coverage of the topic.