Faceless male physician putting on medical gloves

Past Performance is Sometimes a Predictor of Future Performance: A Doctor “Engages in Conduct Tantamount to Attempted Murder”

In making investments, mutual funds note that past performance is not always an indicator of future performance. Which brings us to the case of Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz Jr., a Dallas-based anesthesiologist. On November 20, 2024, he was sentenced to 190 years in prison. Why? A jury determined he injected dangerous drugs into patient IV bags, … Read more

Female physician with a crying patient

How to Say ‘No’ to a Patient Without Inciting WWIII

Physicians sometimes have to say no to patient requests. Often, the “No” with an explanation suffices. The patient gets it. They understand. They’re not angry. In fact, they may be appreciative.  But not always.  Sometimes “No” is followed by denial, anger, bargaining, depression, etc. Sound familiar?  How one says “No” matters as much as what … Read more

Male physician hugging elderly female patient

Can You Hug Patients? Should You Hug Patients? 

The doctor-patient relationship is an intimate relationship. It is based on trust. One of the tenets of trust is that it will not be exploited for personal gain.   Doctors become aware of patients’ most private secrets. And their vulnerabilities.  Still, medicine is “hands-on.” Examination of the patient often requires touch. And, if a patient initiates … Read more

Doctors on a group telemedicine call for a patient consultation

Are Chaperones Needed for Telemedicine Visits? 

Most telemedicine visits are little more than visual addendums to standard phone call encounters. Still, they add a face to a voice. One can pick up on body language. And they do enable limited examinations. For example, does the patient have a tremor? If so, what type? How would you characterize the patient’s gait? Is … Read more

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