Publications & Resources

Once the physician-patient relationship is established, physicians have a legal and ethical obligation to provide patients with care. However, there may be circumstances when it is no longer appropriate to continue the physician-patient relationship. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

The lay public often has limited knowledge and understanding of medical terminology. Effective communication with patients may improve compliance with treatment regimens, enhance the informed consent process, and increase safe medication use. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Patient nonadherence to a prescribed medication regimen is a common problem that physicians in all specialties encounter. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

The communication of test results is an important part of providing care and may involve various healthcare professionals. Test results may be over-looked, lost, or scanned into the wrong record. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Healthcare professionals share in the responsibility for minimizing prescription drug abuse and drug diversion. Physicians are tasked with differentiating patients in need of effective pain management from those who may be seeking drugs for inappropriate reasons. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Patient satisfaction is an integral part of providing healthcare, regardless of the clinical setting. All physician office practices should have a policy or protocol in place to address patient complaints. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Lack of communication between providers may result in poor coordination of care. This may include a delay in diagnosis or treatment, the failure to order diagnostic testing or act upon abnormal test results, or the failure to prescribe appropriate medications. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Providers must recognize that, at any time, a patient may make a complaint to the Office of Professional Medical Conduct alleging that he or she was the victim of a physician’s sexual misconduct. Having a chaperone present during intimate physical examinations may be beneficial to both the physician and the patient. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

The management of chronic pain through the prescription of controlled medication poses challenges and risks to both the patient and the healthcare provider. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of the doctor-patient relationship. Patients’ perceptions of physician communication skills may impact the potential for allegations of malpractice. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.