Professional Oversight of Physician Expert Witnesses: An Analysis of Complaints to the Professional Conduct Committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1992-2006

Annals of Surgery, Vol. 249, No. 1, pp. 168-172, 2009

Posted: 22 Nov 2009

See all articles by Aaron S. Kesselheim

Aaron S. Kesselheim

Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School

David M. Studdert

University of Melbourne - Faculty of Law & Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Date Written: January 1, 2009

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the professional conduct review program that is operated by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). The program adjudicates complaints against AANS members for their work as expert witnesses in medical malpractice litigation.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Policymakers worry that physician expert witnesses who espouse unfounded views in malpractice cases may fuel inappropriate litigation. A growing number of professional societies have sought to oversee their members' work as expert witnesses by instituting standards to regulate this conduct and enforcing those standards through formal disciplinary procedures. The AANS runs the longest-established and busiest program of this kind in the country. Plaintiffs' lawyers and consumer advocates have questioned the even-handedness of this form of self-regulation.

METHODS: We reviewed the confidential case summaries of all 59 complaints involving charges of inappropriate expert witness testimony adjudicated by the AANS Professional Conduct Committee from 1992 to 2006. We developed descriptive categories for the characteristics of the complainant and respondent, the types of misconduct alleged, and the outcomes of the review, including penalties imposed. RESULTS: The most common type of allegation was presentation of testimony that misrepresented the standard of care. Nineteen complaints (32%) were dismissed, but 40 (68%) resulted in sanctions ranging from censure to expulsion from membership. Both the frequency of complaints and length of sanctions have increased in the last 4 years. Although the AANS is highly attentive to procedural fairness, the overwhelming majority (57/59, 97%) of complaints related to testimony from witnesses acting for plaintiffs.

CONCLUSIONS: Professional organizations may play a useful role in oversight of expert witness conduct, provided they maintain procedural fairness and strive for impartiality, as the AANS program seems to have done. However, from a policy perspective, this form of oversight is incomplete and should be complemented by other mechanisms aimed at ensuring the quality of physician testimony.

Keywords: Expert witness, medical malpractice, medical professional society

Suggested Citation

Kesselheim, Aaron S. and Studdert, David M., Professional Oversight of Physician Expert Witnesses: An Analysis of Complaints to the Professional Conduct Committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 1992-2006 (January 1, 2009). Annals of Surgery, Vol. 249, No. 1, pp. 168-172, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1510883

Aaron S. Kesselheim (Contact Author)

Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School ( email )

1620 Tremont St
Suite 3030
Boston, MA 02120
United States
617-278-0930 (Phone)
617-232-8602 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.PORTALresearch.org

David M. Studdert

University of Melbourne - Faculty of Law & Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences ( email )

185 Pelham Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053
Australia

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