Final Exam Flashcards
What can patient regulation serve as?
risk management protection strategy and long term practice building strategy
What are some qualities of a “comparison shopper”?
- pocketbook more important than healthcare
- temptation to ignore needed tests
- waive copay or deductible
Does the patient have the right to decline tests or treatment? What do they not have the right to do?
yes they can deny test/tx, but they do not have to right to receive tx unless they are willing to submit to the doc’s dx protocol and recommendations
What are some qualities of a “previous doctor basher”?
- reporting dissatisfaction w/incompetent doc, hospitals etc.
- bad experience with 1 or 2 docs
What is a warning sign of a previous doctor basher?
long litany of unsuccessful tx efforts
What are some qualities of the “flatterer”?
- “heard so many good things about you”
- no one else could help
- claims doc can cure their illnesses
- standard that will be difficult to meet
What are some qualities of the “scholar”?
- researched their symptoms/condition
- medical jargon
- already with dx
- question every phase of care; take control
What are some qualities of the “trendy health fanatic”?
- bring articles from health magazines/websites
- insists doc incorporate into tx
- a lot of diet/exercise changes
- leaping from tx to tx
What are some qualities of the “responsibility shifter”?
- done all they can by going to your office
- refuses to lose extra weight, quit smoking etc.
- it’s docs job to keep them fit/healthy
What are “special patients”?
- friends, family, other docs, long time pts
- temptation to “cut corners”
What should you do if you have a difficult patient?
- allow for a reasonable opportunity to find another doc
- pre withdrawal letter if relationship can be salvaged
- document missed appts, failure to comply to recommendations etc.
Can doctors just refuse care to an est. pt?
No
- difficult to determine reasonableness
- few wks to months
- follow up with a certified letter
What are benefits for a doctor to control the creation of a doc-pt relationship?
- delay it form starting
- intake documentation may limit relationship
- assess for potential problem patients
What should be included in the initial documentation?
- state that the doc has the right to accept or reject potential patients until completing a hx and exam
- hx and exam are meant to determine if you can help pt
- don’t charge for initial consultation if you do not accept the pt
What are specific circumstances where the dr-pt relationship should be limited?
- limited purpose exams
- work phys, sport phys
- IMEs
- state this is a one time screening
Is there still a possibility for litigation in limited exams?
yes there’s a chance for failure to dx a condition
-or for a “negative” or unfavorable report to school or employer
What are IMEs?
- independent medical examinations
- make sure malpractic ins covers
- only provide clinical info
What will most insurances cover for IMEs?
- hands on exam
- possibly not for only a paper review
What could you lose if you up code, mis-code or code unbundling?
- participation in ins programs
- automatic payment status
- personal liberty
What can happen if a skillful lawyer mentions failure to obtain a thorough hx?
-can reflect adversely on the docs general competence even if it had little connection with specific malpractice allegation
What are examples of non-delegable tasks?
- obtaining informed consent
- making the dx
What are benefits of symptom logs?
- reduce inconsistencies between pt and dr’s recall of symptoms described
- describe progression of symptoms
What is the MC diagnostic aid DC’s use?
x-rays
How are diagnoses of metastatic bone dx usually acquired?
through radiological imaging and can not be determined by a physical examination or inspection
When was the first alleged malpractice lawsuit for failure to take an x-ray?
April 1896
If you take a film that comes out low quality, what should be done?
repeat the film before beginning tx
What are the five “Ds”?
dizziness drop attacks diplopia dysarthria dysphagia
What are the 3 “Ns”?
nausea
nystagmus
numbness
What are some liability complications with VAD symptoms after adjustment?
- failure to recognize, write off as “normal/typical” rxn
- failure to monitor and document progress of pt and your thought process
- failure to manage situation properly and in timely manner
- readjusting pt
- sending pt home
- acting casual “you might want to see another provider”
- failure to document
What are some table safety measures?
- unplug when office is closed and even locking tables
- install safety locks
- disclaimers have limited value
What is the issue with “puffing” in ads?
- comes close to guaranteeing a cure
- if a pt feels lied to or taken advantage of = more likely to sue