Informed Consent/Shared Decision Making Resources

Jul 01, 2025, Physicians Practice
How to Counter Medical Misinformation and Support Engaged Patients
In a recent survey of physicians by The Doctors Company, 64 percent of physicians named misinformation on social media one of the most challenging aspects of practicing medicine. Correcting misinformation during an office visit requires time, effort, and building trust in the physician-patient relationship.

Jun 20, 2025
Otolaryngology: Inadequate Informed Consent Can Lead to Malpractice Claims
Lisa McCorkle, MSN, MBA, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
Our analysis of otolaryngology claims revealed that inadequate informed consent is a frequent contributing factor in malpractice claims.

Jun 11, 2025
Litigation Prevention for Healthcare Practitioners: Have You Checked These 7 Boxes?
Paul Nagle, CPCU, CLU, ARM, CPHRM, Vice President of Patient Safety and Risk Management for Region II, and Julie Ritzman, MBA, CPHRM, Vice President of Patient Safety and Risk Management for Region I, The Doctors Company
Each day, healthcare practitioners weave together patient safety measures and other steps to mitigate practice liability. Our experts advise clinicians to reexamine seven areas of risk mitigation, including documentation, informed consent, incidental findings, communication, and artificial intelligence.

Apr 15, 2025
Obtaining Informed Consent in Clinical Teaching Situations
Richard Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
The basic principles governing informed consent and informed refusal apply to healthcare practitioners in all settings—including academic medical centers and any teaching location.

Dec 17, 2024
Reduce Patient Safety Risks With Vaccinations
Debra Kane Hill, MBA, RN, CPHRM, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
Take time to assess the vaccine administration protocols in your practice.

Aug 06, 2024
Informed Consent: Substance and Signature
Robert Morton, MAS, CPPS, Assistant Vice President, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
True informed consent is a process of managing a patient’s expectations through shared decision making. It is not just a signature on a document.

Apr 08, 2024
Minor Consent: Challenges for Pediatric Dentistry
Richard F. Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, and Patti L. Ellis, RN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
Identifying a minor patient’s legal guardianship and parental rights prior to initial treatment can help dental practitioners reduce risk.

Mar 11, 2024
Informed Refusal
Richard F. Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
Documenting a patient’s refusal of test or treatment options is key to minimizing risk exposure.

Aug 02, 2023
Noncompliant Patients Increase Liability Risks for Practitioners
Richard F. Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company
Practitioners face potential liability when patients do not follow up as instructed or refuse at-home help.

Jul 28, 2023
Quick Check: Informed Consent Process
Using our Quick Check tool can help you improve your informed consent process and documentation.

Sep 19, 2022
Mitigating the Legal Risks of Urinary Tract Injury Following Gynecologic Surgery
Pamela Willis, BSN, JD, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
A recent review of gynecologic surgery claims involving urinary tract fistulas reveals the importance of expanding the scope of the informed consent conversation prior to surgery.
From The Doctor’s Advocate