TDNet Discover

Objective: The objective of this research is to identify what observational studies have been published to compare malpractice rates between Physician Assistants (PAs) and other providers, while also addressing common causative factors for these malpractice claims. Background: Over the past 60 years, the PA profession has become an integral role in the United States healthcare system. As the PA profession expands, a gap in literature has emerged regarding malpractice trends of PAs in comparison to other healthcare providers. This study will examine malpractice data for PAs and compare it with malpractice data of other healthcare providers. Identifying common areas of malpractice for PAs can help providers remain vigilant in mitigating potential claims within their own practice. Methods: Medline and PubMed databases were used to search for literature that compared PA malpractice rates to other provider types in the past 10 years. A quality analysis was performed to narrow the search down to 5 articles that would be used in this meta-analysis. Results: The data analysis showed a statistically significant rate of PA malpractice that was notably lower than that of physicians and comparable to Nurse Practitioners (NPs). However, the research did recognize an upward trend in PA malpractice with a downward trend in physician claims. The data also organized the most common causes of allegations (diagnosis, treatment, medication, etc.) by provider type (PA, NP, physician, etc.). Conclusion: PAs would benefit from more extensive research to determine if these results were simply because of the increase in the number of PAs, or if changes need to be made to PA training and scope of practice. As the legal landscape continues to change for PAs and advanced practice providers (APPs), it is vital to implement research-based strategies to minimize liability and provide quality care, provider support, and the development of the PA profession. With the growth of the PA profession and the upward trend in PA malpractice, further research is needed in order to protect both patients and providers.