Who Answers the Phone at Your Medical Office Matters—A Lot
Hell hath no fury like a dental patient scorned. One recent news flash: A woman in Lincoln County accused of slashing tires on 18 vehicles outside a dentist’s office has been arrested and charged, Lincolnton Police confirmed with Queen City News on Tuesday. Officers responded … Read more
Family Practitioner Treats Patient for Depression While Sleeping With His Wife on the Side
It is not uncommon for patients to develop romantic feelings for their doctors. Managing these emotions is critical. When these emotions are mismanaged, bad outcomes often result. A family practice doctor was treating a husband and his wife for an assortment of challenges. To make a … Read more
Medicolegal Issues When Dealing with Separated and Divorced Parents of Minor Patients
We continue with our series of general educational articles penned by one attorney, an MD, JD, giving you a view of the world through a malpractice plaintiff attorney’s eyes. This attorney is a seasoned veteran. The series includes a number of pearls on how to … Read more
Is Sex with a Patient ALWAYS Unprofessional Conduct?
Most Boards of Medicine take a draconian view towards sex with patients. If a complaint is filed, and the sexual relationship began in the middle of a doctor-patient relationship, discipline likely will ensue. The interpretation is absolute. With most crimes, guilt/innocence and the penalty are defined by … Read more
Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
A patient’s autonomy to make decisions regarding their health is a bedrock axiom of medical ethics. A doctor may disagree with a patient’s course of action, but, it’s their life. Of course, the doctor does not have to be a willing participant in that … Read more
A Prescription for Humanity in Medicine – Featuring Dr. Joseph Stern and Dr. Jeff Segal | The Medical Liability Minute Podcast
On this episode of the Medical Liability Minute, Medical Justice Founder and CEO, Jeff Segal, MD, JD, and neurosurgeon Joseph Stern, MD, FACS, discuss the critical role of empathy in neurosurgery and patient care. Neurosurgeons (and surgeons in general) have a reputation for being cold. … Read more
The Slippery Descent of Someone with Little Grip on Reality
Michael Arnstein ran a gemstone and jewelry business in Manhattan. He was irked by a number of negative online reviews. So, what did he do? He fired up Photoshop. Between 2014 and 2017, Arnstein forged over ten court orders that he submitted to Google to de-index pages with unsavory comments of his business. … Read more
Paying Some Patients to Stay Away from Your Office
Most patients are happy with their choice of doctor. They appreciate the job their doctors do. There’s a mutual respect. If only that were the case with all patients. I spoke with one surgeon last week. He admitted if he had known how difficult one patient would … Read more
A Universe of Unavoidable Errors
A colleague, Robert Yoho, M.D., is writing a book about the practice of medicine. It included reflections on medical errors. I am sharing with his permission verbatim. I had drinks with a sixty-year-old attorney who said he had never made a mistake with a client. I … Read more
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished – Chapter Gazillion
Dr. Kenneth Woliner is a physician in Florida. The Board of Medicine revoked his license. The Board used a surreptitious tape recording from a family member to render its judgment. The 11th Circuit Appellate Court just ruled against the Board– opining “not so fast.” Dr. Woliner treated a young woman with … Read more
Combating Sexual Harassment in Healthcare
On this episode of the Medical Liability Minute, Medical Justice Founder and CEO, Jeff Segal, MD, JD, and Medical Justice General Counsel, Michael Sacopulos, JD, discuss medico-legal liability and sexual harassment. It is critical doctors take steps to protect their staff, their patients, and themselves … Read more
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