Office-based medical care accounted for a significant number of malpractice cases, stemming primarily from missed or incorrect diagnoses.
A recent study by Coverys, titled "HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: Exposing the Drivers of Diagnostic Error", has shed light on the alarming prevalence of missed, incorrect, or delayed diagnoses in office-based care. The study reviewed 6,009 closed events between 2020 and 2024.
The research found that nearly 24% of the cases studied were related to office-based care, with 38% of these events involving allegations of diagnostic errors. One-third of office-based diagnostic error events resulted in a patient's death, while 22% of these events led to a patient suffering a high-severity injury.
The study also revealed that internal medicine and family medicine were the most frequently named services responsible for the patient's care at the time of the alleged diagnostic error, accounting for 41% of events and 45% of the indemnity paid. Surgical specialties were the second most common service, accounting for 23% of events and 22% of the indemnity paid.
Intriguingly, the specialists most frequently associated with misdiagnoses in the outpatient care setting were radiologists, emergency medicine physicians, and primary care providers. The study also noted that "specialties with the highest volume of office-based care" were the most frequent service named in diagnostic error events.
The average indemnity paid on diagnostic-related claims was a staggering $661,000, more than twice the average indemnity paid on claims that were not diagnostic related ($323,000). Together, these fatal and high-severity injury events accounted for 72% of the indemnity paid.
The study further highlighted the most frequently missed cancers, which included prostate, lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.
The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for improved diagnostic accuracy in office-based care. With more than half (53%) of the events closed with an indemnity payment, it is clear that these errors have significant consequences not only for patients but also for healthcare providers.
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