title: The impact of complaints on doctors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been increased recognition in the literature of the impact that complaints can have on practitioners' health and wellbeing.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews the recent literature about the impact of complaints on practitioners and explores the experience of a medical defence organisation (MDO) assisting its members with those complaints. The article also considers proposals to improve the complaints system in order to reduce the adverse health impacts that doctors may face after receiving a complaint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Australian regulators should formally acknowledge the significant impact the complaints process can have on practitioners, and continue to improve the process to reduce these adverse effects. MDOs have a role in supporting their members, and in educating them about the process and how to minimise the impact. Doctors' health advisory services have a key role in providing sup-port to practitioners in need. Members of the profession should encourage a culture that is supportive of the health and wellbeing of colleagues.
authors.forename: Georgie
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haysom
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008603:Mental Health; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D000068616:Professionalism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control