Study Shows Personality Traits of Doctors Linked to Likelihood of Malpractice Suits

A study has found that personality measures of surgeons with more medical malpractice lawsuits over the past five years were significantly different in multiple personality traits when compared to surgeons with fewer suits during the same time period. Surgeons with more lawsuits also had significantly lower scores on several technically-related measures, including attention to detail, conformity and organizational skills, and less effective leadership and management skills

PIPERSVILLE, Pa. -- A study by the Woods Development Institute (WDI) has linked a doctors personality traits with the likelihood that they will be sued for medical malpractice.

The WDI study of 103 surgeons was able to statistically relate a number of personality traits to a higher risk of malpractice claims. The personality differences were identified by having physicians complete a specialized personality survey, which was designed by the Management Psychology Group of Atlanta, a strategic partner of WDI.

The study found that personality measures of surgeons with more medical malpractice lawsuits over the past five years were significantly different in agreeableness, friendliness and other social aspects, when compared to surgeons with fewer suits during the same time period.

Surgeons with more lawsuits also had significantly lower scores on several technically-related measures, including attention to detail, conformity and organizational skills. Surgeons with more lawsuits had less effective leadership and management skills than those with fewer lawsuits. WDI is currently confirming the results of this study with a second study that is ongoing, and should be completed by the end of June.

The results of our study confirm what insurers and health care organizations have suspected for years: a substantial number of medical malpractice claims are related to a physicians behavior or communication, both of which are influenced by the individuals personality" explained Michael S. Woods, MD, founder of WDI, who is also a trained surgeon. The assessment seems to accurately predict who has had a claim recently, and may be at a higher risk for claims in the near future. While these results are based upon surgeons, we have reason to believe the assessment will be useful in other specialties too."

WDI will unveil additional details of the study when they present it at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Physician Insurers Association of America, being held in Chicago, IL May 21-24.

The personality assessment will be marketed by WDI as the Physician Risk Assessment® (PRA), a part of the LeadeRx® Certified Physician Program. It will be commercially available as early as July. Physicians will take the web-based assessment voluntarily, and will be urged to share their results with insurers and health care organizations, who can then help them manage their risk more effectively. Physicians who fulfill the requirements can become a LeadeRx Certified Physician, indicating they are a good risk.

Dr. Woods notes Most physicians will benefit from the PRA by being able to document they have the personality traits associated with low risk. Insurers and health care organizations can use the information to better characterize the risk of their physician population, and may be able to provide lower premiums to many doctors."

The Woods Development Institute, based in Bucks County, Penn., is a physician-owned and operated consulting firm that serves healthcare and risk management organizations nationwide and in Europe. WDIs unique assessment and educational programs provide healthcare professionals with the support they need to function not just as doctors, but as leaders -- thereby enhancing their effectiveness, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction, and reducing malpractice liability.
The study was financed in part by the OHIC Insurance Company, Columbus, OH.