4th Year Advanced Endoscopy Fellows Program | October 2021-Staying out of Trouble

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This video is a lecture on staying out of medical-legal trouble, given by a gastroenterologist who has personal experience with legal issues. The speaker highlights the high likelihood of gastroenterologists being sued, with rates above 10%. Cognitive errors, missed diagnoses, and procedure-related complications are common reasons for lawsuits. The speaker provides tips to minimize legal risks, including adhering to guidelines and documenting any deviations, discussing alternative options with patients, timely documentation in electronic medical records, being cautious with emails as they are discoverable in lawsuits, and understanding vicarious liability for actions of other clinic staff. Proper patient communication and informed consent are also emphasized as important in reducing legal risks. The speaker suggests that taking the time to engage patients and families, being considerate and compassionate, reduces the likelihood of being sued. The video concludes by advising physicians to be cautious during depositions and to seek support from colleagues in the event of a lawsuit.

Keywords

medical-legal trouble

gastroenterologist

lawsuits

cognitive errors

missed diagnoses

procedure-related complications