Dr Harris' calculated lifetime risk is similar to the results of a study done by Jena et al. Using data from a single large malpractice insurer, Jena et al calculated a 76.7% lifetime risk of a medical malpractice claim for physicians practicing family medicine and a 88.5% lifetime risk for physicians practicing internal medicine and subspecialties. The lifetime risk of a medical malpractice claim for physicians practicing obstetrics and gynecology (97.2%) and general surgery and surgical subspecialties (98.4%) approached certainty. We are currently conducting a study of this issue using closed claims data from Illinois.
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