CME Program

Litigation Stress

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Course Description

Being named a defendant in a medical malpractice lawsuit can be a devastating experience. It is particularly painful for first-time healthcare provider defendants who experience the blow of having their professional competence questioned, along with a host of other emotions attendant to litigation, such as anger, fear, frustration, self-doubt and self-pity. Combined, these effects can create a high degree of psychological stress that can endanger the physician’s mental, physical and emotional well-being. The risks that arise from litigation stress fall generally into four main areas:

• The quality of patient care may diminish
• Professional liability risk may increase
• Personal lives may be disrupted
• Fears about financial and business loss, and an injured reputation, may increase

Target Audience

This course is intended for all physicians.

Educational Objectives

By reviewing the malpractice claims experience, research and risk management recommendations presented, this educational activity will support your ability to:

• Implement strategies to reduce litigation stress and its impact on liability risk exposure and patient safety.
• Improve preparedness to disclose and communicate with patients (and family members) about unanticipated outcomes.
• Respond to unanticipated outcomes in an organized and thoughtful manner, emphasizing the ongoing care for the patient, preservation of evidence, and appropriate documentation in the medical record.

Disclosure Policy

As an ACCME accredited provider, NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company requires planners, reviewers or authors who influence or control content of a CME activity to disclose financial relationships (of any amount) they have with commercial interests associated with the CME activity during the past 12 months. Any identified conflicts of interest are resolved prior to the commencement of the activity.

Disclosures

Individuals involved in the planning, reviewing or execution of this activity have indicated they have no relevant financial relationship to disclose.

Content Advisors/Planners

Stephen M. Farber
Vice President, Risk Management and Continuing Medical Education

Dustin Shaver
Manager, Risk Management and Continuing Medical Education

Paula Snyder, RN, CPHRM
Manager, Risk Management

Karen Davis, MA, CPHRM
Project Manager

Mary Jo Capuano, ASB
Claims Data Analyst

Jo Townson
Continuing Medical Education Supervisor

Sonia Rutherford
CME Program Services Coordinator

Expert Reviewers

Leo Hartz, MD, FAACP
Family Practice

Accreditation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Original release date: February 2010
Expiration date: February 28, 2013