2024 Risk Management Programs
PRIMARY CARE: Consultations and Follow up - Who is Responsible?
Presented by Daniel Kohn, MD and Andrew Marter, Esq.
Primary Care physicians have many responsibilities to their patients. Some of those duties are ordering lab studies, prescriptions, referrals and follow-up. This new program for 2024 will address follow-up on reports of consultants. It will address what the full responsibilities of the Primary Care Physician entail. Video vignettes will be utilized to illustrate those duties. Additionally, there will be a discussion on portal responsibilities, non-compliant patients and Artificial Intelligence. Closed claim studies will be utilized to illustrate key risk management principles.
Objectives
- Identify major problems in the referral process
- Understand communication breakdowns in the referral process
- Understand how to better deal with non-compliant patients
- Establish office protocols for managing patient portals
- Impact of AI on the primary care practice
- Learn risk mitigation strategies from closed claims studies'
PEDIATRICS 2024: Little People, Big Risks
Erica Mudd, Esquire
Pediatricians face complex patient issues daily. From treatment of acute issues, to dealing with concerned parents, Pediatricians are tasked with navigating the legal minefield. This course will focus on the legal issues surrounding the practice of Pediatrics. This will include understanding privacy issues and how it might affect patients in the age of Open Notes, how to handle negative online reviews, what teenagers can and cannot consent to, and custody issues.
Objectives
- Be better able to understand privacy issues and how to communicate with patients and their parents.
- Learn how to respond to negative online reviews while maintaining patient confidentiality.
- Understand what treatments teenage patients can and cannot consent to.
- Gain an understanding of complex custody issues and how to communicate with parents."
LEGAL ISSUES: CHOOSE WISELY
Presented by the Law Firm of Armstrong, Donohue, Ceppos, Vaughan and Rhoades, Chtd.
The 2024 Legal Issues program will depict the theme of "choose your own adventure." Participants will be presented with various scenarios via video vignettes. After viewing a vignette, attendees will select a poll that best describes how the "story" should unfold. Then they will view another vignette based on the polling results. Pros/cons will be discussed to possibly show how the "story" might end if a different path was chosen.
Objectives
- Learn how to manage patient interactions
- Learn detailed documentation based on patient interactions
- Learn risk management points through video vignettes
SPECIALTY SPECIFICS - OB/GYN - 2024
Steven Berlin, MD and the Attorneys at Waranch & Brown
As the practice of medicine continues to change, so do the risk issues facing OB/GYNs. This course will discuss common risk issues facing physicians, and ways in which you can incorporate sound risk management mitigation techniques into your practice. Additionally, insureds will learn new information surrounding artificial intelligence, how it is currently being used in the field of OB/GYN, and what Physicians might see in the future. Finally, a closed claim study will take a closer look at what risk issues are facing the practice of OB/GYN.
Objectives
- Understand common medico-legal risk issues surrounding the practice of OB/GYN.
- Understand the pros and cons of artificial intelligence and how it might affect your practice.
- Learn sound risk mitigation strategies through several closed claim studies.
OPHTHALMOLOGY: A Look to the Future
Presented by Sonny Goel, MD and April Hitzelberger, Esquire
The practice of Ophthalmology, like many other specialties, is constantly changing. As technology changes, so do patient expectations. In this presentation, the speakers will review what role artificial intelligence might have in Ophthalmology and what clinicians expect if they incorporate it into their practice. Additionally, this program will review new treatment modalities such as ocular plastics, and light adjustable lenses and how these affect liability. Finally, the discussion will conclude with a brief review of closed claim studies.
Objectives
- Understand how artificial intelligence is utilized in the practice of Ophthalmology and how it might affect liability
- Recognize the risks associated with ocular plastics and how light adjustable lenses are utilized in treatment
- Understand and incorporate sound Risk Management strategies after reviewing past closed claims
PRACTICE EXCELLENCE - WEBINAR SERIES (Office Staff – Not for RM Discount)
Like last year’s program, this year will feature a “series” of programs that address the different topics pertinent to the needs of Practice Managers. Each webinar will be from 12 pm to 1 pm.
Please note that this course is for office staff only and physicians who attend will not receive CMEs and will not receive the Risk Management discount.
Objectives
- Identify areas of weakness in the delivery of health care that might put them at risk for a medical malpractice claim
- Make specific changes in your practice that will increase patient safety
SPECIALTY SPECIFICS - SURGERY - 2024
Steven Berlin, MD and the Attorneys at Waranch & Brown
Surgeons continue to face an ever-changing world of risk issues. This course intends on keeping Surgeon insureds ahead of potential litigation all the while reinforcing common risk management mitigation strategies. In addition, learners will understand how changing technologies, like artificial intelligence, might affect the practice of Surgery. Finally, participants will gain a better understanding of risk management issues using closed claim studies.
Objectives
- Understand potential risks associated with the practice of Surgery and strategies to avoid them.
- Learn about new technologies, like artificial intelligence, and how it might affect their practice.
- Develop sound risk management mitigation strategies while learning from closed claim studies.
CASE IN POINT III: FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE
Case in Point III examines closed medical malpractice claims that have diagnostic error as their core allegation. The selected cases illustrate an all-too common theme presented in a variety of clinical situations where a Physician’s failure to diagnose a patient properly led to a lawsuit.
Objectives
- Identify what constitutes an allegation of failure to diagnose in a malpractice lawsuit
- Recognize the role of the medical record in preventing diagnostic errors
- Increase Physician-patient communication and patient participation in his/her own health care
- Implement changes in practice to minimize delay in diagnosis or failure to diagnose
BUILD A CULTURE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE HIPAA MODULES
Created by members of Professionals Advocate’s Risk Management Department
These training modules address the essential elements of maintaining the privacy and security of sensitive information and protected health information (PHI) within the medical practice.
Objectives
- Discuss the HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules
- Recognize identifiers that create protected health information (PHI)
- Recognize situations in which confidential and protected health information can be mishandled
- Identify practical ways to protect the privacy and security of sensitive information, including PHI
- Recognize the consequences of improperly handling confidential information or PHI
- Understand how to comply with the Breach Notification Rule
MOCK TRIAL: ORDER IN THE COURT!
Presented by attorneys from the law firm of Armstrong, Donohue, Ceppos, Vaughan & Rhoades, Chtd.
This online course will feature a “mini” medical malpractice trial from opening statements to closing arguments. The defendant Physician and expert and fact witnesses for both the plaintiff and defense will be examined and cross-examined. The courtroom drama will also highlight the elements of a successful defense to a malpractice suit and illustrate how medical record-keeping plays a key role in how cases are won or lost at trial.
Objectives
- Understand how medical malpractice trials are conducted
- Recognize how medical record-keeping and deposition testimony play out in malpractice trials
- Understand the key elements of a successful defense of Physicians
OPIOID PRESCRIBING: AVOID THE PAIN 3.0
Presented by John Sly, Esq. of Waranch & Brown, LLC
This updated 3.0 version expands on what was learned in prior Opioid Prescribing courses. This iteration will feature updated guidelines from the CDC as well as real-life scenarios that will illustrate the complexities of prescribing controlled substances and ways you can protect yourself from litigation and potential patient harm.
Objectives
- Understand the use of opioids to treat pain
- Recognize the laws governing opioids
- Identify patient risks for dependency
- Limit risks to your patient and your practice in prescribing opioids
CASE IN POINT II - DOCUMENTATION
Case in Point II is our second risk management program featuring a series of closed-claim scenarios that focus on issues involving medical record documentation. The selected cases serve to provide the reader with situations in which poor or non-existent documentation created patient safety issues and allegations of negligent treatment for the Physician.
Objectives
- Identify weaknesses in the medical record that can result in miscommunication and poor patient outcomes
- Understand the role of the medical record as crucial evidence in medical malpractice litigation
- Recognize how strong documentation can prevent litigation
CASE IN POINT IV - INFORMED CONSENT
According to the American Medical Association’s Code of Medical Ethics, informed consent to medical treatment is fundamental in both ethics and law. Patients have the right to receive information and ask questions about recommended treatments so that they can make well-considered decisions about their care. This new online course will help Physicians navigate the process of informed consent and appreciate the importance of the documentation of a patient’s consent or refusal.
Objectives
- Discuss the concept of informed consent
- Know what should be included in the discussion with the patient about a recommended treatment or procedure
- Understand the need for documentation of the informed consent process and patient discussion
CASE IN POINT V - TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Presented by John Sly, Esq. of Waranch & Brown, LLC
Case In Point V is our latest edition to the Case In Point closed claim series. This program features a series of closed claims that focus on Risk Management issues surrounding the use of technology in the practice of medicine. The cases selected for this program will be presented in a video format presented by John T. Sly, Esq., a medical-malpractice defense attorney. These cases focus on issues surrounding patient tracking, communication, informed consent, and documentation – with technology serving as the backdrop.
Objectives
- Identify risk issues associated with the use of technology in their practice as it pertains to communication.
- Understand the role of technology in medicine and how it to be additionally vigilant in its use as a physician.
- Recognize how technology can be used in the practice of medicine while improving documentation and physician-patient interactions.
RISK ISSUES IN RADIOLOGY
Presented by Lara Eisenberg, MD, Robert Maynard, Esq. and Edward Gonsalves, Esq.
This course will review medical-legal issues in radiology including those inherent to the field and those related to documentation and communication. The course will include a brief mock deposition of a radiology defendant in a hypothetical scenario and demonstrations of expert witness testimony in such scenario.
Objectives
- Recognize potential pitfalls in documentation and communication in radiology
- Understand liability theories in radiology and practices to minimize exposure to litigation
- Be familiar with litigation issues in radiology and deposition and expert witness strategies to utilize in litigation
LEGAL ISSUES - GREATEST HITS
Presented by the Law Firm of Armstrong, Donohue, Ceppos, Vaughan and Rhoades, Chtd.
Over the course of the last several years, Medical Mutual/Professionals Advocate along with the attorneys at Armstrong, Donohue, Ceppos, Vaughan and Rhoades, have presented meaningful vignettes showcasing the intricacies of the medico-legal landscape. This "greatest hits" online course will present curated video vignettes from previous Legal Issues courses with updated guidance from the medico-legal experts. Unlike our live program, this online self-paced course will allow participants to learn from video presentations focusing on documentation, communication and informed consent issues confronted by Physicians in their practice.
Objectives
- Learn proper documentation and communication techniques
- Understand common risk management issues surrounding the practice of medicine
- Be able to transfer the knowledge learned in this program into their everyday practice.
PATHOLOGY PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE
Rob Maynard, Esquire and Arthur McTighe, MD
This online course will review common risk management issues surrounding the practice of Pathology. Dr. Arthur McTighe and the attorneys at Armstrong, Donohue, Ceppos, Vaughan and Rhodes present this course from the perspective of a Pathologist. The course will include a hypothetical case study, along with a demonstration of expert witness and fact witness testimonies. At the conclusion of the program, the speakers will discuss common risk management guidance which can be incorporated into the practice of Pathology.
Objectives
- Gain a better understanding of the medico-legal issues surrounding the practice of Pathology.
- Understand the intricacies of testimony in a malpractice case. Both as a defendant and expert witness.
- Learn key risk management “pointers” to incorporate into their practice.