Clinicians are not held liable simply because something bad happened, e.g., a side effect occurred or a patient harmed himself. Clinicians are held liable if it was their negligence that led to the harm. So, we must make sure we take the appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of bad outcomes and that our actions and reasoning are documented.
Here are some valuable resources with practical tips about risk management. A few of them are articles on this website. The others are from PRMS, a leading malpractice insurance company (used with their permission) or links to articles on other websites.
Risk management—Prescribing
Don’t fail to document this crucial part of informed consent
Off-label prescribing: Clinical recommendations
What are the regulations regarding prescribing out-of-state?
Prescribing controlled substances: Managing the risks (PRMS)
Reducing risk when prescribing for children and adolescents (PRMS)
Myths & Misconceptions: Patients who obtain multiple prescriptions (PRMS)
Medication samples in the office: Understand the risks to the patient and to the psychiatrist (PRMS)
Risk Management Considerations When Patients Are Noncompliant With Medications (Psychiatric News)
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)
Can I take my medication with me when I travel to another country?
What to do about medications when traveling to Japan
Risk management—Suicide
Practical pointers for managing risk when treating patients with suicidal behaviors (PRMS)
Lessons to be learned: A review of post-suicide malpractice lawsuits (PRMS)
Risk management—Special populations
Reducing risk when prescribing for children and adolescents (PRMS)
Practical risk management pointers for the treatment of geropsychiatric patients (PRMS)
Risk Management Considerations When Treating Fellow Physicians (Psychiatric News)
Risk management—Supervision and Consultation
The “curbside” consult and what it means for you (PRMS)
Supervision of nurse practitioners
Risk management—Termination of treatment
Termination of treatment
How much notice when “terminating” a patient?
Tips on writing and sending a termination letter
Termination of the physician-patient relationship (PRMS)
Termination of the physician-patient relationship: Do’s & Dont’s (PRMS)
Risk management—Other topics
Risk management concerns regarding email with patients
Medical malpractice insurance companies for mental health clinicians
Failing to plan…is planning to fail (PRMS)
Risk Management Considerations When Evaluating Fitness for Duty (Psychiatric News)
A golden rule for documentation (YouTube video)
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