Profession
D.C. doctors say they're feeling effects of liability crisis
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 17, 2005
Nearly one-third of 201 Washington, D.C., physicians who responded to a poll by the Medical Society of the District of Columbia reported they have already retired or plan to retire early. Nearly 80% of respondents said they know colleagues who have retired or are planning to retire early.
Increasing costs for liability insurance are adversely affecting patients as well, the survey showed. About 80% of respondents said access to care is decreasing or will decrease soon; 78% said costs of care are rising or will rise soon; and 84% said pressure to practice defensive medicine is increasing.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/10/17/prbf1017.htm.
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