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Professional Education
When Personal Relationships Interfere with the Standard of Care for Advanced Practice Clinicians
The Doctors Company rigorously analyzed 988 claims* against internal medicine physicians that closed from 2009–2018. Regardless of the outcome, all cases that closed from 2009–2018 were included in this analysis—an approach that helps better understand what motivates patients to pursue claims and gain a broader overview of the system failures and processes that result in patient harm.

Professional Education
Alzheimer's 7: Questions and Answers - What Physicians Ask About Diagnosing and Treating Dementia
This course focuses on the common concerns and questions expressed by clinicians about dementia and cognitive impairment. Practitioners will learn more about making the initial observation of cognitive decline and beginning a conversation with older adult patients, overcoming common barriers to making a definitive diagnosis of dementia, and managing the ongoing clinical needs of patients experiencing dementia. Experienced clinicians engage in conversation on how they handle delicate and difficult conversations with patients and their family members. Program participants will become knowledgeable of warning signs of dementia, gain proficiency in screening and evaluating adults for cognitive deficits, confidently disclose a diagnosis of dementia, and communicate next steps to patients and family caregivers, including safety issues, medications, and community resources. [1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.50 Contact Hours (ANCC)]

Jan 01, 1998
Harvard Study Continues to Distort Healthcare Quality Debate
Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP
The Harvard Medical Practice Study is often cited in discussions of healthcare quality and medical malpractice reform. Missing from this discussion is any mention of the critical flaws of the study, which not only render the data of virtually no use for public policy debate, but which also fail to support the authors’ conclusions about the medical-legal system.

Professional Education
Failure to Rescue a Recurring Post-Surgical Event (Claims Corner CME)
Claims arising from the perioperative experience are frequent, often preventable, and some of the costliest claims for physicians. One study of surgical claims conducted by The Doctors Company noted that about two out of three general surgeons have been involved in a medical malpractice suit.  Malpractice data consistently finds that the most serious and common post-operative complications are unrecognized intestinal puncture or perforation. Diagnostic error by surgeons involving unrecognized intestinal puncture or perforation of an organ can quickly lead to septic shock and death.

Mar 12, 2025
Learning From Medical Oncology Malpractice Claims
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Traci King, RN, LNCC, Patient Safety Analyst, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
Cancer remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., with certain types of cancer increasing despite overall declines in mortality. By reviewing closed malpractice claims involving the medical oncology specialty, our study aims to gain insights into factors affecting cancer care and treatment.

Professional Education
Alzheimer's 5 : Use of Pharmacotherapy for Patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder
This activity includes video lectures and is the fifth in a series of courses that seek to educate clinicians on standardized screening, evaluation, and disease management of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This fifth course focuses on the most frequently used and FDA-approved prescription medications for Alzheimer's disease and dementias, the current research regarding its use, and guidelines for prescribing and discontinuing medication. The program will incorporate cultural values and beliefs when creating and sharing the pharmacological care plan. [1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.75 Contact Hours (ANCC)]

Mar 22, 2023
Remote Patient Monitoring: Considerations for Telehealth Care
Sue Boisvert, BSN, MHSA, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
Remote patient monitoring is advancing the safety and accuracy of telehealth by filling in some gaps and increasing the types of care that can safely be provided in the home.

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