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Complaints from patients with functional neurological disorders: a cross-sectional UK survey of why patients complain and the effect on the clinicians who look after them

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Paul Goldsmith

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).

Abstract

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2018. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nature of complaints from patients with functional neurological disorders and understand the reaction of UK neurology consultants to receiving complaints from this patient group. METHODS: A voluntary online retrospective survey was advertised to UK consultant neurologists. Questions asked about the nature of the complaint, how it was dealt with, how it affected their emotional well-being and attitude to work, and whether it influenced their clinical practice. Responses were anonymised. The frequency of responses and percentage of total responses were analysed. Respondents were also given opportunities to add personal comments. RESULTS: Responses from 58 clinicians were received. Patient disagreement with the diagnosis was a factor in 90% of complaints received. Only 77% of complaints were resolved within 6 months and 61% of clinicians received no feedback about the outcome. 31% of clinicians reported their most problematic complaint had an adverse effect on their mood. 67% of respondents changed their practice following the complaint with 59% investigating more frequently or due to perceived pressure from patients. CONCLUSIONS: Complaints from patients with functional neurological disorders appear to be primarily due to disagreement with the diagnosis. They are more difficult to resolve than other complaints, and clinicians who deal with them often become the 'second victim' in the process leading to potentially adverse effects on patient care. Strategies to tackle these issues are discussed.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Bolton C, Goldsmith P

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: BMJ Open

Year: 2018

Volume: 8

Issue: 11

Online publication date: 08/11/2018

Acceptance date: 04/09/2018

Date deposited: 28/11/2018

ISSN (electronic): 2044-6055

Publisher: BMJ Group

URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021573

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021573

PubMed id: 30413498

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