Evaluation of malpractice fears and attitudes among medical residents at a tertiary university hospital

Objective: This study was planned to evaluate the malpractice fears, attitudes towards medical errors, and associated factors among resident physicians working at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study included 219 resident physicians working at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University. Data were collected using a sociodemographic data form, the Malpractice Fear Scale, and the Attitudes Towards Medical Errors Scale (THTÖ). Chi-square, Student's t-test, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation tests were used for data analysis. Results: It was found that 75,8% of the participants experienced a high level of malpractice fear. The mean malpractice fear score was 22,30±5,09. The malpractice fear scores of physicians under 30 years of age (p=0,003), those with 5 years or less of professional experience (p=0,045), and those working in internal medicine departments (p=0,006) were found to be significantly higher. 85,4% of the participants stated that malpractice anxiety changed their clinical approaches, and the malpractice fear score of this group was found to be significantly higher (p=0,001). 70,9% of resident physicians in internal medicine, 43,8% of those in basic medical sciences, and 41,8% of those in surgical medical sciences stated that malpractice anxiety was effective in their specialty preference, and the difference between the groups was found to be significant (p<0,001). The attitude of 94,1% of the resident physicians towards medical errors was found to be positive, with the mean score on the Attitudes Towards Medical Errors Scale being 3,45±0,34. A significant positive correlation was identified between the Malpractice Fear Scale score and the total score of the Attitudes Towards Medical Errors Scale (p<0,001). Conclusion: The vast majority of resident physicians participating in the study experience a high level of malpractice fear. This fear particularly affects young physicians at the beginning of their careers and causes them to change their clinical approaches. Although the general attitudes of physicians towards medical errors are positive, a high level of malpractice fear leads to defensive medicine practices. To manage this situation, it is recommended to add malpractice-related training to medical education curricula, improve systemic problems, and establish support mechanisms for physicians.