My first job was in California. That was a long time ago. I practiced there for about 3 years. Then I moved. My California medical license terminated. I can’t remember if I sent a note to the Medical Board of California (MBC), or just did not renew my application. It was a long time ago. … Read more
No one likes to be ignored. If you are talking to someone, you reasonably expect they will listen. If the “listener” is not listening, their next step is to turn up the volume. If a Board of Medicine writes to you seeking an explanation for care you rendered plus a copy of the full medical … Read more
Physicians often migrate from one state to another. Looking for greener pastures. This is particularly the case when your current workplace loses its magic. Sometimes it IS better to leave and get a fresh start. If you head to a different state, you’ll need a license to practice there. If you already have a license … Read more
Cataract surgeries are miracles of the modern age. They are generally safe. And effective. Before the advent of intraocular lenses, when cataracts were removed, nothing replaced them. The only solution was to follow with “high-powered, bulky spectacles, which often led to poor visual quality. In fact, Sir Harold Ridley exclaimed that “extraction alone is but … Read more
Becoming board certified is a rite of passage. It has become a de-facto must-have document in addition to licensing. For many jobs, you need to be board certified or board eligible. Many hospitals require it to become part of its active medical staff. If you want privileges at many healthcare institutions, you must be board … Read more
Medical records can be used for offense. They can be used for defense. If a patient sues YOU for medical malpractice, all of their records are fair game (or at least most of their records). A plaintiff cannot use the medical record as both a sword and a shield. What if a plaintiff is suing … Read more
Most physicians are generally aware that a patient has a fixed amount of time to file a lawsuit. If not filed, then the patient, now a plaintiff, loses that right. There are two “statutes” that set the clock. The first is statute of limitations. There, the clock starts running when the injury is discovered or … Read more
Referrals are a standard part of medical care. Whether it’s sending a patient to a specialist, an imaging center, or a surgical facility, referrals happen thousands of times a day. But what happens when a patient is unhappy with the person or place you referred them to? Can that dissatisfaction morph into a lawsuit… against … Read more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. It’s being used to transcribe visits, summarize research, draft letters, and more. Some say it’s the future of medicine. Others say it’s the Wild West. A question I’ve been asked more than once:“If I use AI in my practice, can I get sued?” Short answer: Yes. But let’s unpack that. … Read more
As per HIPAA, a covered entity cannot disclose protected health information unless the referenced patient (or guardian/representative) gives authorization. Or there’s an exception to that requirement. So, what IS protected health information (PHI)? Protected health information is information, including demographic information, which relates to: For example, a medical record, laboratory report, or hospital bill would … Read more
