Abstract:

Objective To investigate the conditions of consultation settlement for medical disputes in medical institutions of Shanghai, and provide referrences for improvement of medical dispute settlement. Methods Thirty medical institutions of Shanghai were surveyed with self-designed questionnaires, which included the aspects of department setting, staff allocation, number of medical disputes with consultation settlement in 2007 and 2008 and recognition on consultation settlement for medical disputes in medical institutions. Results There were specific departments for management of medical disputes in each institution, with a total of 63 staff in all institutions and full-time staff in 15 institutions (50%). Those with consultation settlement accounted for 88.5% and 90.1% respectively of all the medical disputes in 2007 and 2008. When medical disputes arose, 24 institutions (80.0%) were willing to resolve by consultation, 25 (83.3%) adopted consultation settlement for social stability, 21 (70.0%) determined the compensation amount by compromise with patients, 29 (96.7%) concluded contracts with patients by written form, and 21 (70.0%) drafted contracts by themselves. Conclusion Harmonious relationship between medical institutions and patients is important, and medical institutions should improve the mechanism in consultation settlement for medical disputes.

Key words: medical institution, consultation settlement, medical dispute, settlement mechanism