If you disagree with a colleague working on a case, it’s a good idea to hold a meeting with the colleague and the patient so all three of you can thrash out the issue together.
True
False
The best way to evaluate the treatment a patient has received from a colleague is by asking the patient or his or her relatives how satisfied they are.
When a primary care physician brings one or more consulting physicians in on a case, who is ultimately in charge of the care the patient receives?
A.
The primary care physician.
B.
Whichever physician the patient saw last.
C.
Every consulting physician is in charge of his or her area of expertise.
D.
Whichever physician the patient designates.
If you even suspect medical malpractice on the part of a colleague, you have a moral obligation to immediately share your suspicions with the patient involved.
If you notice an incorrect entry in a patient’s medical record, either by you or another physician, you should:
Scratch through the entry, write a correction in the margin and initial the correction.
Point out the error to the patient and tell him or her that you disagree.
Always write a new entry to point out the error.
Write a new entry to point out the error only if there is a danger to the patient from the prior entry.
When one of your colleagues’ expertise is called into question, never attempt to reassure the patient by telling him or her that you have more experience than the other physician.
Which of the following statements is less likely than the others to give the patient the impression that medical negligence has occurred?
"I’m sorry the surgeon prescribed such a large dose for you."
"It’s unfortunate that Dr. Jones didn’t give you a more powerful pain reliever."
"I regret to have to tell you – you’ve had a bit of a setback."
"I have to be honest with you – I think Dr. Smith messed up."
Finger-pointing at another physician should be avoided so that:
The other physician won’t blame you in return.
You don’t inadvertently trigger a nonmeritorius malpractice case.
You don’t encourage noncompliance on the part of the patient.
The patient doesn’t refuse to pay for the other physician’s services.
The best way to avoid finger-pointing situations in the first place is by:
Communicating well within the healthcare team.
Respecting other healthcare professionals and their ideas, even if the professionals are less experienced than you.
Discussing differences of opinion in a private environment away from patients.
All of the above.
If you point a finger at another physician and a lawsuit results, you face a substantial risk of being drawn into the lawsuit as a codefendant or unwilling witness.
