title: Malpractice stress syndrome in radiologists and radiotherapists: perceived causes and consequences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiology is among the specialties with an increasing risk of litigation. Regardless of the outcome of legal proceedings, physicians who are sued usually perceive the claim as an assault on their integrity and may suffer psychological or physical effects known as "malpractice stress syndrome".
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and six radiologists and 108 radiotherapists responded to a questionnaire containing specific items concerning their perception of malpractice stress and their opinions about the causes of clinical errors, as well as an assessment of work satisfaction and general health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One third of physicians had been sued for malpractice. Age was significantly related to the occurrence of malpractice litigation. Radiological errors were purportedly related to occupational discomfort, and the latter variable was significantly associated with work dissatisfaction and a low level of psychological and physical well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiologists are well acquainted with medical malpractice and its causes; however, they have limited familiarity with clinical risk management practices and often ignore procedures of informed consent. A targeted educational effort is required to overcome these shortcomings.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nazionale di Riposo e Cura dell'Anziano (INRCA), U.O. Radiologia, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fileni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Magnavita
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mammi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mandoliti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lucà
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magnavita
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergamaschi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011871:Radiology; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012308:Risk Management; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome