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Clinicians' and managers' responses to patients' complaints A survey in hospitals of the Milan area

Clinicians' and managers' responses to patients' complaints A survey in hospitals of the Milan area Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the analysis of complaints lodged by patients and how the complainants' letters are handled by health boards and clinicians. Design/methodology/approach – A retrospective analysis of patients' complaints lodged with an independent voluntary citizens' association in Milan and, at the same time, against the hospital administration offices or the consultants and responses returned by the hospitals in reply to the patients. The authors assessed: the reasons for the complaints according to the citizen; the nature of the complaint according to a medical expert revue; and the handling of the complaint process by managers. Findings – For 83 of 151 people (55 per cent), the reason was compensation for injury or pain. According to the medical review, in 54 cases (35.7 per cent), the main themes emerging were mainly “perceived” poor quality of care. Together, or alone, were problems of “technical” quality of care. A total of 94 complaints (62.2 per cent) had been dealt with by the Health Boards, but 48 cases (31.7 per cent) were dealt with by the legal office or the insurance company who replied without showing evidence that they had discussed events with clinicians. Many times the managers did not undertake a systematic investigation, leaving complainants dissatisfied with the process and the outcome. Originality/value – This paper is the first to report the results of an assessment process of complaints lodged via an independent citizens' association in Italy. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Clinical Governance An International Journal Emerald Publishing

Clinicians' and managers' responses to patients' complaints A survey in hospitals of the Milan area

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References (11)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1477-7274
DOI
10.1108/14777270710828937
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the analysis of complaints lodged by patients and how the complainants' letters are handled by health boards and clinicians. Design/methodology/approach – A retrospective analysis of patients' complaints lodged with an independent voluntary citizens' association in Milan and, at the same time, against the hospital administration offices or the consultants and responses returned by the hospitals in reply to the patients. The authors assessed: the reasons for the complaints according to the citizen; the nature of the complaint according to a medical expert revue; and the handling of the complaint process by managers. Findings – For 83 of 151 people (55 per cent), the reason was compensation for injury or pain. According to the medical review, in 54 cases (35.7 per cent), the main themes emerging were mainly “perceived” poor quality of care. Together, or alone, were problems of “technical” quality of care. A total of 94 complaints (62.2 per cent) had been dealt with by the Health Boards, but 48 cases (31.7 per cent) were dealt with by the legal office or the insurance company who replied without showing evidence that they had discussed events with clinicians. Many times the managers did not undertake a systematic investigation, leaving complainants dissatisfied with the process and the outcome. Originality/value – This paper is the first to report the results of an assessment process of complaints lodged via an independent citizens' association in Italy.

Journal

Clinical Governance An International Journal – Emerald Publishing

Published: Oct 23, 2007

Keywords: Complaints; Quality; Health services; Legal action; Italy

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