Volume 36, Issue 258 (7-2026)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026, 36(258): 119-124 |
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Bahrami S, Gholizadeh Lang B. Main Causes of Complaints at the Medical Council of Ramsar, Northern Iran, 2011-2021. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026; 36 (258) :119-124
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-19632-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-19632-en.html
Abstract: (11 Views)
Background and purpose: In recent years, the number of complaints against physicians has increased significantly. Medical complaints include allegations of medical negligence, inadequate communication or information provided by physicians, and premature hospital discharge. Medical negligence may involve malpractice, lack of due care, inadequate professional competence, and violations of administrative or professional regulations. Patient complaints provide an important opportunity to identify weaknesses in healthcare systems. Consequently, examining these complaints may contribute to preventing and reducing medical errors and improving the quality of healthcare services. This study aimed to investigate the main causes of complaints registered with the Medical Council of Ramsar during a 10-year period (2011-2021).
Materials and methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytical study reviewed complaint files registered and archived at the Medical Council of Ramsar. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.
Results: A total of 105 complaints were reviewed. The most common cause of complaints was treatment-related complications or disability (42.9%). The specialty most frequently involved in complaints was dentistry (21.9%), followed by general medicine and infectious diseases (both 17.1%). Hospitals accounted for the highest proportion of complaints (62.8%), whereas pharmacies accounted for the lowest (1.9%). The most common type of negligence was professional negligence resulting in malpractice (42.5%). The mean age of complainants was 43.02 years, while the mean age of physicians was 46.89 years. No statistically significant association was observed between physician gender and the cause of complaint (P> 0.05). However, a significant association was found between the place of service delivery and the cause of complaint (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: The gender distribution of doctors and complainants did not differ and could be due to the increase in the number of working women and the fact that women received more services over time, especially cosmetic services. The most common source of complaints was the hospital due to the referral of high-risk individuals and the presence of high-risk practices. Malpractice was the most common cause of complaint, and the most common reason was negligence and then carelessness, which is also confirmed by most other studies. The findings indicate that more effort should be made to train doctors and improve processes.
Materials and methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytical study reviewed complaint files registered and archived at the Medical Council of Ramsar. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.
Results: A total of 105 complaints were reviewed. The most common cause of complaints was treatment-related complications or disability (42.9%). The specialty most frequently involved in complaints was dentistry (21.9%), followed by general medicine and infectious diseases (both 17.1%). Hospitals accounted for the highest proportion of complaints (62.8%), whereas pharmacies accounted for the lowest (1.9%). The most common type of negligence was professional negligence resulting in malpractice (42.5%). The mean age of complainants was 43.02 years, while the mean age of physicians was 46.89 years. No statistically significant association was observed between physician gender and the cause of complaint (P> 0.05). However, a significant association was found between the place of service delivery and the cause of complaint (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: The gender distribution of doctors and complainants did not differ and could be due to the increase in the number of working women and the fact that women received more services over time, especially cosmetic services. The most common source of complaints was the hospital due to the referral of high-risk individuals and the presence of high-risk practices. Malpractice was the most common cause of complaint, and the most common reason was negligence and then carelessness, which is also confirmed by most other studies. The findings indicate that more effort should be made to train doctors and improve processes.
Type of Study: Brief Report |
Subject:
Medical Ethics
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