We have all heard of some doctors refusing to care for the sickest patients because embracing such a risk could impact their outcome statistics. Colloquially known as cherry-picking. Risk adjustment should address that concern. Yet, it still happens. Here’s a new one. Keeping a patient alive much longer than the family would accept to keep … Read more
In the news. Patrick Conway, the president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina was arrested and faces charges of driving while impaired and reckless driving after an alleged alcohol-related automobile accident in summer, 2019. In additional, because two minor children were in the car with him, he also faces charges of misdemeanor child … Read more
When I was a resident, one attending asserted he’d rather have a resident at bedside making the evaluation than Harvey Cushing (the father of neurosurgery) at home. Technology has improved and, today, diagnoses can often be made remotely. Still, when a nurse beckons, and says she’s worried, you should listen. A recent paper supports that … Read more
. In Texas, there’s a law – Section 33.07(a)(2) which makes it a felony to use the name or persona of another person to create a web page or post on a social networking site if the action is taken to harm, threaten, defraud or intimidate the other person. A patient in Austin posted the … Read more
Everyone knows we have an opioid crisis. Now we have an opioid treating doctor with his own crisis. Dr. Daniel Schwartz is a pain management physician in Ohio. He was charged with conspiracy, attempt to possess, and attempt to distribute a controlled substance. The conspiracy charge is not a typical physician … Read more
Dr. Roy Shelburne was, by all accounts, living the dream. He was leading a successful dental practice. He was providing high-quality care to patients who otherwise would’ve gone without. And he was serving a community of friends and family. In 2003, the FBI kicked down his door. Over the next few years, his every word … Read more
“What do you hope to get from this visit?” This was the introductory question a physician asked me when I first met him. I prioritized my goals and started a brief narrative. And away we went to the races. The more I thought about this simple question, the more brilliant I thought it. First, it … Read more
Physician-patient relationships end for numerous reasons. The reality is often a mundane affair. Objectives change. The patient’s care develops. Sometimes a change of scenery is necessary. Still – physicians are human, and humans are bound by limitations. We have a limited amount of time. We have limited resources. Limited patience. Some relationships can be salvaged. … Read more
Before we dive in, some fast advice. If you are being sued and you never treated the patient who is propelling the case, know this: Solutions exist. Medical Justice has been protecting doctors from medico-legal threats since 2001. And our Founder and CEO, Jeff Segal, MD, JD, has seen it all. Schedule a consultation with … Read more
A med mal summons normally reads as a logical argument as to why the patient – now a plaintiff – has a legitimate legal beef and is entitled to monetary damages. You may disagree with the logic or the conclusion. But the argument should read as a syllogism. A leads to B. B … Read more
