Cooper, W. O., et al. (2024).
JAMA Network Open, 7(6), e2415331.
Abstract
Importance Because unprofessional behaviors are associated with patient complications, malpractice claims, and well-being concerns, monitoring concerns requiring investigation and individuals identified in multiple reports may provide important opportunities for health care leaders to support all team members.
Objective To examine the distribution of physicians by specialty who demonstrate unprofessional behaviors measured through safety reports submitted by coworkers.
Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study was conducted among physicians who practiced at the 193 hospitals in the Coworker Concern Observation Reporting System (CORS), administered by the Vanderbilt Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy. Data were collected from January 2018 to December 2022.
Exposure Submitted reports concerning communication, professional responsibility, medical care, and professional integrity.
Main Outcomes and Measures Physicians’ total number and categories of CORS reports. The proportion of physicians in each specialty (nonsurgeon nonproceduralists, emergency medicine physicians, nonsurgeon proceduralists, and surgeons) who received at least 1 report and who qualified for intervention were calculated; logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of any CORS report.
Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, less than 10% of physicians ever received a coworker report with a concern about unprofessional behavior. Monitoring reports of unprofessional behaviors provides important opportunities for health care organizations to identify and intervene as needed to support team members.
Here are some thoughts:
A recent study found that unprofessional behavior reports from coworkers were more common for certain physician specialties. Surgeons had the highest percentage of reports (13.8%), followed by nonsurgical proceduralists (12.0%) and emergency medicine physicians (10.9%). Conversely, nonsurgical non-proceduralists, like hospitalists, had the lowest rate (5.6%). Interestingly, focusing on pediatrics within a specialty didn't significantly affect the likelihood of being reported. This research highlights the importance of reporting systems for unprofessional behavior. By identifying physicians who may need intervention, healthcare organizations can create a safer and more positive work environment for everyone.
