Table 4

Multivariable regression analysis estimating risk of recurrent complaints*

HR (95% CI)p Value
Number of prior complaints<0.001
 1 (ref)1.00
 21.93 (1.79 to 2.09)
 33.21 (2.87 to 3.59)
 44.54 (3.90 to 5.27)
 56.16 (5.09 to 7.46)
 68.83 (7.05 to 11.05)
 79.57 (7.40 to 12.37)
 89.49 (7.05 to 12.77)
 916.09 (11.72 to 22.10)
 10 or more29.56 (19.24 to 45.41)
States and territories <0.001
 1 (ref)1.00
 22.23 (1.86 to 2.67)
 32.10 (1.75 to 2.53)
 41.91 (1.53 to 2.37)
 51.86 (1.52 to 2.29)
 61.73 (1.37 to 2.20)
 71.25 (1.02 to 1.53)
Male doctor1.36 (1.23 to 1.50)<0.001
Urban practice location0.98 (0.90 to 1.07)0.65
Specialty of doctor<0.001
 Plastic surgery2.04 (1.75 to 2.38)
 Dermatology1.56 (1.30 to 1.88)
 Obstetrics and gynaecology1.50 (1.29 to 1.76)
 General surgery1.45 (1.17 to 1.80)
 Orthopaedic surgery1.32 (1.20 to 1.44)
 Other surgery1.30 (1.19 to 1.43)
 Ophthalmology1.19 (1.02 to 1.40)
 Psychiatry1.15 (1.02 to 1.29)
 General practice (ref)1.00 (ref.)
 Internal medicine0.93 (0.80 to 1.09)
 Radiology0.89 (0.34 to 2.37)
 Anaesthesia0.65 (0.54 to 0.79)
 Other0.65 (0.51 to 0.82)
Age of doctor <0.001
 <35 years1.00 (ref.)
 36–45 years1.31 (1.13 to 1.51)
 46–55 years1.40 (1.22 to 1.62)
 56–65 years1.43 (1.23 to 1.67)
Gamma−0.21 (−0.23 to −0.19)
  • *Analysis based on 14 986 index complaints against 8749 doctors, and 6237 subsequent complaints.