Describe a sampling of problems resulting in physician liability
The viability of any negligence claim, including a medical negligence claim, is predicated on the defendant’s duty to exercise reasonable care. In a medical negligence claim, this duty arises out of the physician-patient relationship. Sample of problems and practices resulting in physician liability include the physician’s use of an unprecedented procedure that results in patient’s harm—not following a course of treatment that is supported by a respected body of medical experts; failure to respond to emergency call; delaying treatment; performing inadequate history and physical examinations; failure to order diagnostic tests; failure to promptly review test results; failure to obtain a second opinion; failure to refer; practicing outside one’s field of competence; misdiagnosis; failure to read nursing notes; medication errors; failure to follow a different course of treatment; failure to obtain informed consent; improper performance of a procedure; failure to follow- up; and abandonment.
