Malpractice Risk Assessment in Emergency Medical Services: A Field Study
Aim
This study examined the malpractice risks in emergency medical services as assessed by emergency medical workers.
Materials and Methods
This methodological, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 447 emergency medical workers across Turkey. Data were collected using the malpractice risk assessment scale in emergency health services, developed by the researchers within the scope of this research. In the scale development study, according to the explanatory factor analysis, the scale was formed with a single dimension and 23 items. Confirmatory factor analysis fit indices for this structure were X2/standard deviation =3.05, Goodness of Fit Index=0.88, Comparative Fit Index=0.90, Tucker Lewis Index=0.90, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=0.07 and Root Mean Square Residual=0.07. Cronbach’s Alpha value was 0.931.
Results
The mean score of the emergency medical workers on the malpractice risk assessment scale in emergency Medical Services was 3.390±0.737. The participants reported that adverse physical conditions in emergency departments, patient density, medical procedures performed at night, negative attitudes or behavior of patient relatives during emergency medical intervention processes, and the presence of pediatric patients are high-risk factors for malpractice. The emergency medical workers with less than one year of experience, being single, working in the private sector, working 41 hours or more per week, working in shifts, and following mixed work patterns had higher scores.
Conclusions
Malpractice risk assessment scale in emergency medical services is a valid and reliable measurement tool. Emergency medical workers face a moderate level of malpractice risk exposure. Malpractice risk assessment is influenced by the characteristics of emergency medical providers. Strategies should be developed, on topics identified as high risk for malpractice.
