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Risk Management Consult
Failure to Diagnose
Overview
“Failure to make a correct or timely diagnosis” is the single most common allegation found in medical malpractice claims. Fortunately, most diagnostic failures 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, and so on.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, a physician should be able to:
1. Explain the need for orally reviewing with new patients any written medical history questionnaires or other documents they provide.
2. Discuss the need for documenting negative as well as positive family histories.
3. Understand the importance of obtaining and reviewing the patient’s prior medical records.
4. Explain the usefulness of written protocols in avoiding diagnostic failures.
5. Recognize the importance of documenting your differential diagnosis.
6. List the steps necessary to prevent positive test results from being filed away before they are brought to the physician’s attention.
Target Audience
This course is designed for physicians who want to avoid diagnostic failures.
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 6 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 6 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.
Nursing CE Information
CorExcel is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Satisfactory completion of the test will earn the nurse 12.4 contact hours.
 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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