2026 Risk Management Programs
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Live In-PersonProtecting Your Practice: Pre-Lawsuit Strategies for Pediatric Malpractice
Presented by German Rodriguez and Steven Hirsch, MD
This 2-hour lecture equips pediatricians with tools to reduce malpractice risks when adverse outcomes occur despite standard care. It reviews 2015-2025 pediatric lawsuit trends (e.g., 3.1% of pediatricians sued annually vs. 7.4% of all physicians), MedMutual data on cases, and factors like poor communication or documentation that drive claims. The course introduces MedMutual’s Witness Assistance Coverage (up to $10,000) for subpoenas or patient inquiries. Using 2-3 vignettes of delayed diagnoses, participants practice empathetic, legally sound responses to families, guided by “I’m sorry” laws, with audience discussion on optimal reply methods (phone, portal, or written).
Objectives
- Outline 2015-2025 pediatric malpractice trends and MedMutual case data to understand risk factors.
- Identify factors increasing lawsuit risk (e.g., communication gaps) and protective measures (e.g., full recovery).
- Explain MedMutual’s Witness Assistance Coverage for subpoenas or patient complaint responses.
- Craft empathetic, legally sound responses to family concerns using “I’m sorry” laws.
- Practice responses to delayed diagnosis scenarios through vignettes, with audience input on effective communication.
Modern Medicine, Modern Risks: What Primary Care Physicians Need to Know
Presented by Daniel Kohn, MD and Andrew Marter, Esq.
This case‑based educational activity is designed to reduce malpractice risk in primary care by strengthening provider documentation practices and improving communication with patients and clinical colleagues. The content is informed by a recent closed‑claim study reviewing malpractice claims from 2018 to the present, highlighting common drivers of claims such as communication failures, incomplete or delayed documentation, inadequate informed consent, breakdowns in follow‑up, and poor coordination of care. Through real‑world claim scenarios, participants will examine practical strategies for creating accurate, timely, and defensible medical records, conducting effective patient and interprofessional communication, and clarifying EMTALA boundaries as they relate to outpatient practice.
Objectives
- Apply closed‑claim‑supported documentation practices by creating timely, accurate, and clinically meaningful medical records that clearly reflect assessment, clinical reasoning, and decision‑making.
- Enhance communication with patients and clinical colleagues through clear, consistent, and well‑documented exchanges that reduce ambiguity, clarify responsibility, and address common communication failures identified in malpractice claims since 2018.
- Recognize and mitigate liability risks related to care transitions, including referrals, cross‑coverage, and emergency department interactions, by accurately documenting coordination of care and distinguishing EMTALA obligations from primary care responsibilities.