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Liability implications of physician-directed care coordination.
Mark A Hall1, Ralph A Peeples, Richard W Lord
1Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston-Salem, NC 27109-7206, USA. mhall@law.wfu.edu
Annals of Family Medicine
|March 31, 2005
Summary
Physicians coordinating care for patients with multiple chronic conditions face liability risks similar to other primary care. Evidence suggests well-executed care coordination may actually reduce liability, contrary to common concerns.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Patient Care Coordination
Background:
- Public and private initiatives promote care coordination for patients with multiple chronic conditions.
- Physicians may hesitate due to perceived liability risks associated with coordinating complex patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the extent of liability risk for physicians coordinating care for patients with multiple chronic conditions.
- To evaluate the discrepancy between physicians' perceptions and the actual liability drivers in care coordination.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study combining legal research and key informant interviews.
- Literature searches in legal databases for relevant authorities.
- In-depth interviews with 16 experts in malpractice insurance, risk management, and liability law.
Main Results:
- Care coordination can present higher liability due to broader physician responsibility and potential for higher standards of care.
- Conversely, factors like improved outcomes and better error targeting may lower liability.
- Liability insurers show no reluctance to insure physicians for care coordination roles.
Conclusions:
- Physicians' fears of liability in care coordination are largely unfounded.
- Evidence suggests that effective care coordination does not increase liability and may potentially reduce it.
- Well-managed care coordination aligns with, rather than deviates from, standard primary care risks.