BACKGROUND:

The Ethics Committees of medical associations define standards of conduct to avoid improper professional behavior.

AIM:

To identify the areas of professional behavior with most allegations of misconduct.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Analysis of all ethical claims received at the Regional Ethics Court of the Chilean Medical Association between 2016 and 2021.

RESULTS:

Of 323 cases analyzed, 17% of complaints argued a failure in achieving a satisfactory standard of medical care, 15% unprofessional behavior, 14% disruptive interaction among physicians, 12% failure to fulfill therapeutic expectations, 6% poor quality of care, 6% fraud, 6% complains against institutions, 6% sexual misconduct, 6% inappropriate billing, 3% diagnostic errors, 3% inappropriate social behaviors, 1% refusal to provide a sick leave and 1% illegal practice. Only 41.5% of complaints were filed against registered physicians, thus limiting the capabilities of the medical ethical board.

CONCLUSIONS:

The most common complaints observed were professional misconduct and relationship problems between physicians.