Doctors are subject to more complaints than complementary practitioners, but chiropractors and acupuncturists are more likely to have serious findings made against them following a complaint, AHPRA figures show.
Analysis of registration board reports for 2014-15 shows wide disparities between the numbers and outcomes of complaints made against professionals working in 12 conventional and three complementary (CM) health professions overseen by the national regulator.
The number of complaints per 100 practitioners was highest for the medical board (4.4) compared to 1.5 for chiropractors, 0.7 in osteopathy and 0.5 for Chinese Medicine practitioners.
However when complaints were made against complementary practitioners they were more likely to lead to a severe outcome.
Just 0.6% complaints against doctors resulted in the suspension or cancellation of medical registration, in contrast to 17% of the cases against Chinese Medicine practitioners, 14% of osteopaths and 1.5% of chiropractors.
More than half of complaints (58%) against doctors were closed at the initial assessment (first) stage and the rate was similar for osteopaths (57%) but it was much lower for chiropractors (16%) and TCM practitioners (29%).
Following the lodgement of a complaint, no further action was taken in 60% of cases against conventional health practitioners – including doctors – compared to 37% of cases against CM practitioners.