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Can malpractice pressure compel a physician to relocate?

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  • Ellyson, Alice M.
  • Robertson, Justin C.

Abstract

Existing literature considers the effect of changes in malpractice pressure by focusing on physician supply, and concludes that changes in tort laws have limited but some impact on physician movement. Using a panel dataset which follows a random sample of 28,227 family medicine physicians in the United States from 1992–2007, this paper evaluates whether changes in malpractice premiums impact a physician's decision to relocate their practice. Our findings suggest that even large premium growth has no impact on the physician relocation decision. Generally, these results suggest that family medicine physicians do not use relocation as a strategy to avoid malpractice pressure. However, some physicians are more inclined to relocate than others. Results indicate that group and hospital practice physicians are more likely to move to another state when premiums are high compared to solo and partnership practice physicians.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellyson, Alice M. & Robertson, Justin C., 2019. "Can malpractice pressure compel a physician to relocate?," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 37-48.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:irlaec:v:57:y:2019:i:c:p:37-48
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irle.2018.10.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Munjae Lee, 2019. "The Effects of Criminal Punishment on Medical Practices in the Medical Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-9, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    I11; K130; J44; Medical malpractice; Negative defensive medicine; Physician location; Family medicine;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations

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