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Risk Management Consult
Failure to Diagnose Cancer
Overview
Next to medication errors, the most common allegation in medical malpractice claims is that the doctor failed to make a correct or timely diagnosis of cancer. Fortunately, most failures to diagnose cancer are avoidable. That’s because the underlying problem is rarely the physician’s lack of skill or expertise, but his or her faulty communication practices while carrying out such basic duties as taking and recording the medical history, sharing findings appropriately with other professionals, reviewing medical records, following protocols, and so on.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, a physician should be able to:
1. Establish a habit of orally reviewing with new patients any written medical history questionnaires or other documents they provide.
2. Understand the need to document negative as well as positive family histories.
3. Understand the importance of obtaining and reviewing the patient’s prior medical records.
4. Routinely document your differential diagnosis.
5. Take necessary steps to prevent positive test results from being filed away before they are brought to the physician’s attention.
6. Describe the duties of a physician in both making a referral and in accepting one.
7. Explain your duties to the patient when conducting third-party examinations, such as insurance physicals and Worker’s Compensation claims.
8. Incorporate protocols of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute into your diagnostic processes.
9. Educate patients about American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute guidelines for cancer screening and prevention.
10. Take appropriate steps when the patient fails to follow medical advice for follow-up care or testing.
Target Audience
This course is designed for physicians who want to avoid diagnostic failures relating to cancer.
Methodology
This is a self-study course consisting of text and CME test. Physicians should read the course content, answer the test questions and submit the answers for scoring. Those who complete the course with a score of 80 percent or higher will earn a maximum of 7 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM.
Faculty/Author
This course was developed by Rosemary Gafner, Ed.D. Dr. Gafner’s CV is available on request or online at https://www.medrisk.com/Medrisk/Faculty/CV/default.aspx.
CME Information
Medical Risk Management, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education for physicians. Medical Risk Management, Inc.designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 7 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity is valid for release May 1, 2007 and expires on April 30, 2010.
Commercial Support
This activity was developed solely by Medical Risk Management, Inc. without any outside commercial support.
 Please check with your insurance carrier for approved courses before registering. Courses not approved by your insurance carrier will not be accepted by them for any discounts they may offer.
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