How do Doctors Evaluate Insurance for Their Surgery and What Decisions Are Made for or Against Taking out Insurance?

Abstract

A practising doctor in his own surgery has a professional responsibility to earn a regular income for the maintenance of his existence and his employees. Professional risks arise from his activity, which the doctor should regulate with appropriate insurances and powers of attorney. Which of these insurances do doctors have and how important do doctors feel it is to take out such insurances? Are updates made to the insurance policies and what criteria do doctors use to decide for or against insurance? In order to answer this questions, in-depth interviews, mostly face-to-face, were conducted with five doctors of different specialities, professional experience in their own surgery. It was found that doctors contracted insurances that were obligatory, the professional liability and known from their private environment, the legal expenses insurance. Likewise, some insurances were considered unnecessary (i.e. cyber risk) and insurances that sound very similar were confused (i.e. business interruption). The decision-making behaviour for and against insurance was also very different and no clear trend emerged. Due to the rather small sample, further interviews and surveys are necessary to show whether the result is consolidated. It is also advisable to delve deeper into the decision-making behaviour of doctors.