Surgeons are the most likely physician specialists to be reported for unprofessional behavior, according to a June study published in JAMA Network Open.
The study looked at more than 35,000 physicians practicing in the U.S. and found that fewer than 10% have been reported by their co-workers for one or more instances of unprofessional behavior, and only 1% showed a pattern of such reports, according to a June 17 report from Medscape.
Surgeons had the highest percentage of physicians with at least one report, at 13.8%, followed by nonsurgeon proceduralists (12.0%).
Physicians practicing in pediatric settings were the least likely to be reported for unprofessional behavior.
The study looked at physician reports between 2018 and 2022 at 193 hospitals and practices who are part of the Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy's Coworker Observation Reporting System program, a national collaborative in which members file safety event reports involving medical workers' unprofessional behavior.
The study authors speculated that surgeons are the most likely to be reported for bad behavior because surgery is a more stressful environment, and requires teamwork and interactions during high-stress patient care situations.
The most common behaviors reported involved disrespectful communication or a lack of professional responsibility.