Professional liability insurance and XXXX .

@entity1 @entity910
QUESTION UNDER STUDY: To examine medicolegal stakeholders' views about the impact of professional liability insurance in Switzerland on @entity910 . METHODS: Purposive sample of 23 key medicolegal stakeholders in Switzerland from a range of fields between October 2012 and February 2013. Data were collected via individual, face-to-face interviews using a researcher-developed semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using conventional content analysis. RESULTS: @entity1 , particularly those with a legal or quality background, reported that concerns relating to professional liability insurance often inhibited communication with @entity1 after a medical error. Healthcare providers were reported to be particularly concerned about losing their liability insurance cover for apologising to harmed @entity1 . It was reported that the attempt to limit the exchange of information and communication could lead to a conflict with @entity1 rights law. @entity1 reported that hospitals could, and in some case are, moving towards self-insurance approaches, which could increase flexibility regarding error communication CONCLUSION: The reported current practice of at least some liability insurance companies in Switzerland of inhibiting communication with harmed @entity1 after an error is concerning and requires further investigation. With a new ethic of transparency regarding medical errors now prevailing internationally, this approach is increasingly being perceived to be misguided. A move away from hospitals relying solely on liability insurance may allow greater transparency after errors. Legalisation preventing the loss of liability insurance coverage for apologising to harmed @entity1 should also be considered.
