ATLANTA, GA (April 19, 2010) - According to a new national survey of physicians by Jackson Healthcare, 72 percent of physicians report that the practice of defensive medicine negatively impacts patient care.  Sixty-seven percent report that defensive medicine comes between the doctor and patient.

This survey is the third in a series of physician surveys by Jackson Healthcare to qualify and quantify the impact lawsuits have on medical care in the U.S.  It follows Jackson's recent survey quantifying the cost of defensive medicine, in which physicians estimate $650 billion to $850 billion is spent each year on defensive medicine. Defensive medicine refers to the unnecessary tests and treatments that physicians order to avoid lawsuits.

"Nothing should come between physicians and patients, especially third parties like government bureaucrats and attorneys who have no medical training," said Richard Jackson, chairman and chief executive officer of Jackson Healthcare.  "The physician/patient relationship is sacred and must be protected to the benefit of our physicians and us, their patients."

Additionally, 75 percent of respondents believe defensive medicine will decrease the number of physicians in the U.S., perpetuating an existing physician shortage, and 87 percent of current residents and fellows reported that they were taught to practice defensive medicine. This has implications for the next generation of physicians, the future cost of healthcare and patient access to the care they need.

According to Jackson, "Without radical medical malpractice reform that gets at the root problem, not only will costs continue to climb, but our survey suggests that access, quality and innovation will continue to be limited to certain patients.  We need a balanced, common sense approach that guarantees patients their rights without undermining their care."

A summary of the new survey findings can be found in Jackson Healthcare's online media room.  Click here to view the summary.

 For more information contact Bob Schlotman at 770-643-5697 at Jackson Healthcare.

About Jackson Healthcare 

Founded by the healthcare innovator Richard Jackson, Jackson Healthcare serves more than two million patients in nearly one thousand hospitals each year.  The Jackson family of companies provides physician and clinician staffing, anesthesia management and healthcare information technology solutions proven to improve clinical and financial outcomes, as well as increase operational efficiency.  Jackson Healthcare has earned national media coverage for its physician polls and champions local and international charitable work.  In addition, Jackson has been recognized as one of the largest and fastest growing staffing companies in the country by the Inc. Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Georgia Trend and Staffing Industry Analysts.  For more information about Jackson and its companies, visit Jackson Healthcare.  Jackson's research reports are available online at Market Research.

According to a new national survey of physicians by Jackson Healthcare, 72 percent of physicians report that the practice of defensive medicine negatively impacts patient care.  Sixty-seven percent report that defensive medicine comes between the doctor and patient.