A wise attorney once told me, “The road to serenity is not paved with litigation.” How true that is. Unfortunately, litigation is a familiar experience for those of us who practice medicine -- most of us will find our serenity traumatized by a lawsuit during our career. The stress can be overwhelming and even debilitating, but it doesn’t have to be. In this article we will discuss the sources of that stress and the ways to cope. I offer two common idioms to remember if you are sued for malpractice: “You are not alone,” and “You will survive.”
-Michael Baron, MD, MPH
In response to policyholders who have expressed a desire to have had a better understanding of what litigation entailed before they were embroiled in it, SVMIC is now offering an online course entitled, “Anatomy of a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit.” This course identifies the elements of a malpractice lawsuit and outlines the major phases of the litigation process. Significantly, it discusses the physician defendant’s role in each phase and what the physician can do to better assist in his or her own defense. Finally, the course identifies the emotional risks associated with a malpractice claim/lawsuit and healthy ways to cope with that stress. The latter topic is discussed by Dr. Michael Baron, Medical Director for the Tennessee Medical Foundation.
This course offers one (1.0) hour of CME credit, 5% premium credit for physicians, and is intended for all areas of practice. As with all our online courses, it is free to SVMIC policyholders.
Jeffrey A. Woods is the Risk and Practice Management Senior Attorney at SVMIC. Jeff received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee Martin and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Following graduation, he practiced law in Knoxville for almost 15 years, advising physicians and healthcare providers and defending them in malpractice claims. He is licensed to practice in Tennessee and all Federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association.
Jeff joined SVMIC in 2003 and was a Senior Claims Attorney until 2015 when he transferred to his current position.
The contents of The Sentinel are intended for educational/informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Policyholders are urged to consult with their personal attorney for legal advice, as specific legal requirements may vary from state to state and/or change over time.
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