Risk of medical malpractice lawsuits, occupational stress, and the choice of medical specialization among medical students.

Abstract

Objectives: In recent years, there has been a decline in interest in choosing surgical specializations and those with a high risk of receiving a medical malpractice lawsuit among medical graduates. The aim of the study to assess the relationship between the estimated risk of receiving a lawsuit in individual medical specialties and the choice of specialization by medical students, as well as to assess students' knowledge of medical law and stress management techniques.

Methods: The research group consisted of medical students from the fourth to sixth year of studies in Poland. The study was conducted from February to June 2024. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis, including comparative and correlation analysis.

Results: More than half of the respondents assess their knowledge of medical errors and stress management as insufficient. Students of higher years of studies and women are less likely to consider the choice of surgical specializations that fall into the "high-risk" group. However, older students assessed their knowledge of medical law and stress management techniques more favorably.

Conclusions: Students show less interest in choosing "high-risk" specialties and emphasize the need to expand the scope of education on medical errors and stress management techniques during their studies.