As a result of completing these modules, participants should be able to:

Module 1 - In Your Defense

• Describe the risk of “finger pointing” between defendants in a malpractice case.
• Explain the role of the subsequent treating physician as a non-party witness in a malpractice case.
• Describe the steps taken by defense counsel to prepare the defendant physician for a deposition.
• Recognize the negative impact of an altered medical record on a malpractice case.
• Review the effects and challenges of using electronic health records (EHRs) in a medical malpractice case.

Module 2 - Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in the Office Practice - Part 1

• Describe appropriate ways to improve documentation in the EHR.
• Explain EHR metadata and its use in medical malpractice litigation.
• Minimize the liability risks associated with the copy and paste function.
• Identify potential problem areas when communicating with patients by email.
• Recognize the benefits of using patient portals in an EHR system.

Module 3 - Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in the Office Practice - Part 2

• Explain the benefits and associated liability risks of using clinical decision support software.
• Develop a plan to manage patient information in the event of an EHR system failure.
• Describe ways to enhance patient engagement when using an EHR system in the examination room.
• Explain the elements of informed consent and the proper way to document this process in the EHR.
• Review steps that should be taken to secure patient information in the EHR.

Module 4 - Follow-Up Procedures in the Office Practice

• Develop procedures for tracking and following up patient appointments, diagnostic tests results and consultation reports.
• Recognize the liability risks of treating noncompliant patients and develop strategies to minimize these risks and improve patient compliance.
• Evaluate the role of the coordinating physician when multiple practitioners are involved in a patient’s care and treatment. 
• Describe situations where it is appropriate to discharge a patient from the practice and the steps that should be taken to properly do so.
• Review strategies to manage patients that forgo care and treatment due to costs.

Module 5 - High Exposure Liability: A Case Study Analysis - Part 1

• Explain how the failure to conduct and/or document an adequate initial history and physical examination can lead to diagnostic errors and treatment delays.
• Describe the impact of inadequate medical record documentation on the defense of a high exposure liability case.
• Discuss the potential liability issues for physicians who use and delegate responsibilities to mid-level providers.
• Recognize the impact of communication failures or ineffective patient handoffs on patient safety, especially during critical situations.
• Identify the potential liability risks when inpatients are boarded in the Emergency Department.

Module 6 - High Exposure Liability: A Case Study Analysis - Part 2

• List the key elements that should be communicated and documented to establish a clear transition in care between a referring and consulting physician.
• Describe how an inadequate transition in care from one provider to another can result in a poor patient outcome and malpractice case.
• Explain the proper use of addenda in the medical record.
• Discuss the impact of finger-pointing between physicians on the defense of a case.
• Explain the importance of a physician being well-prepared to testify at the trial.