Korean J Orthod.  2014 Jan;44(1):5-12. 10.4041/kjod.2014.44.1.5.

Patterns of medical accidents and disputes in the orthodontic field in Korea

• Kim YH
• Hwang CJ

• KMID: 2273265
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2014.44.1.5

Abstract

The committee of admitted doctors developed a questionnaire regarding medical dispute and distributed it to 1,600 members of Korean Academy of Orthodontics. The questionnaire consisted of three categories and 56 items covering basic information about the doctors and patients who had experienced medical disputes, the cause and workaround of medical accidents, and methods for taking precautions. The present survey showed a similar proportion of responders who had experienced a medical accident compared to the study in 1997. The primary reason for medical disputes was dissatisfaction with appearance. Many doctors felt that they would likely experience a medical dispute at some point. Most disputes were settled by doctors themselves, usually for an amount of less than 5 million Korean won. For some doctors, medical accidents lead to ongoing psychological problems. Responders felt that continuing education for medical dispute is very necessary. These results reveal a need for the association of orthodontists to lead advancements in education and countermeasures for preventing and managing medical accidents and disputes.

Keyword

Socioeconomic factors; Legal issue; Practice management; Ethics; Risk management; Medical mistake

MeSH Terms

Dissent and Disputes*
Education
Education, Continuing
Ethics
Humans
Korea*
Medical Errors
Methods
Orthodontics
Practice Management
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk Management
Socioeconomic Factors