Manage the difficult patient to reduce malpractice risk

Managed care is becoming the predominant model of health care delivery in the United States, and cost containment pressures are being felt by physicians and patients alike. As a result, the doctor-patient relationship is being subjected to greater pressures and conflicts. These conflicts can result in patients being viewed as "difficult." Difficult patients represent a clinical challenge which many providers feel unprepared to address. When difficult patients become dissatisfied and angry with care, a professional liability claim can result. This article presents difficult patient cases and management recommendations, along with evaluation results of three seminars based on the difficult patient concept.