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First Quarter 2009 |
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New Exclusive Endorsements
We are pleased to announce that The Doctors Company has received exclusive endorsements from the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA), the Santa Barbara County Medical Society (SBCMS), and the Ventura County Medical Association (VCMA).
The Doctors Company succeeds The SCPIE Companies as the endorsed carrier for these distinguished medical organizations.
“As a result of the SCPIE acquisition, we were able to deliver on our promise of reducing premium rates for our California policyholders,” said Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, chairman and CEO of The Doctors Company. “We appreciate that LACMA, SBCMS, and VCMA recognize the enhanced value of The Doctors Company, our unparalleled service, aggressive legal defense, and the Tribute® Plan.”
How Local Physician Advisory Boards Contribute to a Winning Strategy
Our Local Physician Advisory Board meetings create a forum for physicians to analyze claims and share their concerns about practice trends and issues. How do their insights impact the way we handle a claim?
At a minimum the claim’s defense attorney—who is usually in attendance—shares the group’s comments with our testifying experts. In some cases, new information emerges that strengthens our experts’ testimony on behalf of our member. Sometimes criticisms emerge that had not yet surfaced, and the board’s comments help us to prepare for cross examination by the plaintiff’s attorney.
Many of the cases we take to trial come down to a contest between our experts and those retained by the plaintiff, so it’s imperative that we choose the best experts for each case. We often ask our members to suggest respected colleagues, and our Local Physician Advisory Board members have also made recommendations.
The information we gain from our Local Physician Advisory Boards helps us ensure that our members receive the industry’s most thorough and aggressive defense.
Gerald B. Hickson, MD, Named Vanguard Award Recipient
The Doctors Company Foundation is pleased to award the Vanguard Award for the Advancement of Patient Safety to Gerald B. Hickson, MD.
The foundation honored Dr. Hickson for his leadership contributions to the national patient safety movement. Dr. Hickson teaches and publishes extensively on the relationship between patients, dissatisfaction with their care experiences, and physicians’ medical malpractice risk.
Dr. Hickson is professor of Pediatrics, associate dean for Clinical Affairs, and associate professor of Family and Health Systems Nursing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is currently chair of the National Patient Safety Foundation Board of Governors.
“One goal for reducing system error and preventing adverse medical events is eliminating communication errors. Dr. Hickson’s research has made a major contribution to enhancing patient safety in the American health care system,” said David B. Troxel, MD, board chairman of The Doctors Company Foundation and medical director for The Doctors Company.
The Doctors Company Foundation was formed by The Doctors Company in 2008 as part of our mission to advance and protect the practice of good medicine. The foundation focuses on promoting and supporting research that will enhance patient safety or legal reform.
Rewarding Loyalty and Dedication through the Tribute Plan
Our members have voiced enthusiastic support for the Tribute Plan, our unrivaled benefit that rewards physicians for their dedication and loyalty to The Doctors Company.
Since the plan’s inception, we have distributed career rewards to 386 qualifying members.
To see your personal award balance or learn more about the Tribute Plan, visit www.thedoctors.com/tribute.
New Hotline Protects You 24/7
As part of our commitment to protecting you and your practice, our risk management and claims staff is now here to help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you have an urgent patient safety or claims issue, call our 24-hour hotline at (800) 421-2368.
The Doctor’s Advocate is published by The Doctors Company to advise and inform its members about loss prevention and insurance issues.
The guidelines suggested in this newsletter are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. They attempt to define principles of practice for providing appropriate care. The principles are not inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of other methods reasonably directed at obtaining the same results.
The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each health care provider in light of all circumstances prevailing in the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.
The Doctor’s Advocate is published quarterly by Corporate Communications, The Doctors Company. Letters and articles, to be edited and published at the editor’s discretion, are welcome. The views expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official policy of The Doctors Company. Please sign your letters, and address them to the editor.