Liability of psychiatric consultants

Psychiatric consultants generally have limited exposure to malpractice liability because they undertake circumscribed responsibilities. To date, courts recognize the main responsibility for the patient rests with the primary care physician. Consultants' central responsibility is to the consultee, although they often assume a more direct role vis à vis the patient. Malpractice liability requires a doctor-patient relationship and is thus dependent on the extent of responsibilities assumed by each physician caring for the patient. The best protection, therefore, is a quality clinical evaluation combined with documentation that delineates the boundaries of responsibility assumed in the care of each patient.