Anaesthesiologists, fees and complaints to the Health Professions Council of South Africa

Abstract

Anaesthesiologists are reputedly the most complained about single speciality to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HSPCA). The majority of complaints include unhappiness with either the consent process itself or involve the amount that the patient was charged and how the patient felt that there was inadequate disclosure during the consent process on the financial aspects pertaining to the procedure. The question is asked if anaesthesiologists are over-represented, and if so, are there potentially any reasons why anaesthesiologists as a group are more vulnerable to criticism? The South African Society of Anaesthesiologists and the Medical Protection Society are working on ways of diminishing the risk of complaints to the HSPCA about anaesthesiologists. However, in doing so, it is important to reflect upon the factors which may play a role.