Reclamos contra la conducta ética en el ejercicio de la medicina. Análisis de las causas ingresadas a un Tribunal de Ética del Colegio Médico de Chile / Analysis of the cases admitted to a regional ethics court of the Chilean medical association

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Ethics Committees of medical associations define standards of conduct to avoid improper professional behavior. AIM: To identify the areas of professional behavior with most allegations of misconduct. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of all ethical claims received at the Regional Ethics Court of the Chilean Medical Association between 2016 and 2021. RESULTS: Of 323 cases analyzed, 17% of complaints argued a failure in achieving a satisfactory standard of medical care, 15% unprofessional behavior, 14% disruptive interaction among physicians, 12% failure to fulfill therapeutic expectations, 6% poor quality of care, 6% fraud, 6% complains against institutions, 6% sexual misconduct, 6% inappropriate billing, 3% diagnostic errors, 3% inappropriate social behaviors, 1% refusal to provide a sick leave and 1% illegal practice. Only 41.5% of complaints were filed against registered physicians, thus limiting the capabilities of the medical ethical board. CONCLUSIONS: The most common complaints observed were professional misconduct and relationship problems between physicians.