Table 1

Characteristics of complaints and doctors who were the subject of the complaints

n*Per cent
Issue in complaints, n=13 849
Clinical care835260
 Treatment540739
 Diagnosis225116
 Medication10838
 Hygiene/infection control1040.8
 Discharge/transfer530.4
 Other clinical care810.6
Communication290921
 Attitude or manner184913
 Information7906
 Consent4163
 Other communication300.2
Costs or billing9707
Medical records, certificates or reports8916
Access and timeliness8546
Sexual contact or relationship4223
Rough or painful treatment3192
Confidentiality or information privacy2812
Breach of conditions1861
Grievance handling1290.9
Discrimination540.4
Other1120.8
Characteristics of doctors, n=8424
Gender
 Male666779
 Female167620
 Missing710.8
Age
 22–34 years4646
 35–65 years675680
 Missing120414
Specialty
 General practice397249
 Surgery118215
  Orthopaedic surgery3294
  General surgery2964
  Plastic surgery1402
  Other surgery4175
 Internal medicine93411
 Obstetrics and gynaecology4165
 Psychiatry5046
 Anaesthesia3144
 Ophthalmology1882
 Radiology1442
 Dermatology1292
 Other specialties3494
Location of practice
 Rural194823
 Urban637877
  • *Complaint issues sum to more than 100% because some complaints involved multiple issues.