Canadian Medical Protective Association college complaint cases involving residents and patient care (2013–2017) in which the provider was the contributing factor17 (n = 53)
| Factor | No. (%) of complaints | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical decision-making | 27 (50.9) | |
| Thoroughness of assessment | 19 (35.8) | Failure to obtain detailed history and conduct focused physical examination |
| Diagnosis | 13 (24.5) | Failure to reassess in timely manner when condition deteriorates or after giving medications |
| Management errors | 7 (13.2) | Inappropriate disposition or delay or failure to consult with senior residents or staff |
| Lack of situational awareness | 15 (28.3) | |
| Failure to read patient record | 6 (11.3) | Reading patient’s previous record would likely have prompted ordering a diagnostic test or led to a different differential diagnosis |
| Lack of self-awareness in resident’s knowledge, skill, technique, training, education | 6 (11.3) | Resident showed poor judgment in not seeking supervisor’s assistance before performing invasive procedure |
| Health, conduct and boundary issues* | 20 (37.7) | Use of cellphone during patient examination |
| Procedural violations | 17 (32.1) | Failure to complete checklist before invasive procedure; failure to provide adequate supervision of residents |
↵* See Appendix 1, Section 3 (available at www.cmajopen.ca/content/10/1/E35/suppl/DC1) for definition of “Health, conduct and boundary issues.”