Professional Education
Delayed Diagnosis of Stroke: Case Review for Advanced Practice Clinicians
In reviewing closed malpractice claims, The Doctors Company identified diagnostic failure as a reoccurring problem and one of the top three leading allegations that result in malpractice claims. This failure often leads to a delay in treatment and causes significant harm to patients. The following highlights the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke. Factors contributing to delay diagnosis and treatment included failure to recognize the window (“last known well time”) for tissue plasminogen activator-clot buster (tPA) failure to order a stat MRI and neurology consult, failed communication among providers regarding changes of recurring symptoms of ischemic stroke, failure to appreciate new signs and symptoms of a stroke, and poor or inconsistent documentation. The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has identified the top three causes of serious harm from diagnostic failure. Number one is ischemic stroke.
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February 05, 2024, Part B News
AI Proliferates: Coding and Chat Remain Fertile Ground, But Watch Decision-Making
Sue Boisvert, BSN, MHSA, CPPS, CPHRM, DFASHRM, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company, part of TDC Group, discusses the benefits of AI in medical coding for streamlining processes, but emphasizes the necessity of human oversight to ensure accuracy and mitigate potential biases.
Video Nov 15, 2023
Shoulder Dystocia: Physician-Patient Disclosure
The purpose of this video is to assist physicians in enhancing their communication skills when disclosing a shoulder dystocia injury to patients and family members. This type of injury to the infant may unfortunately occur, despite the best of care. However, effective physician-patient communication is an integral part of clinical practice and has shown to positively influence outcomes by increasing patient understanding and trust.
Mike Tungate
Mike Tungate is president of The Doctors Agency of Michigan.
Mar 01, 2024
Burnout and Litigation Against Primary Care Providers: Where Do They Overlap?
Certain trends in primary care suggest potential avenues for investigation into malpractice allegations. These include a worsening shortage of primary care physicians, an association between burnout and patient safety concerns, and the rise in both the number of women physicians and the rate of burnout among women physicians.
April 09, 2025, Maryland Medicine
The Resurgence of Medical Liability: How the AMA Supports Its State Medical Associations and Specialty Societies
Medical liability is becoming an advocacy priority for many in organized medicine. One reason is the dramatic rise of “nuclear” jury verdicts (verdicts of at least 10 million dollars). This article includes expert insights from The Doctors Company on this growing issue.
The Doctors Company Announces $7.3 Million Member Dividend
The Doctors Company announced today that it has approved a 2022 premium dividend of approximately $7.3 million, bringing the total of declared dividends to date to more than $446 million.
April 12, 2022, Medical Economics
How Doctors Can Minimize Their Chances of Being Sued for Malpractice
Robert E. White, Jr., Chief Operating Officer of The Doctors Company and TDC Group, discusses why thorough, accurate documentation is a doctor’s best defense against malpractice suits.
April 05, 2022, Medical Economics
The Financial Health of Malpractice Insurers
Robert E. White, Jr., Chief Operating Officer of The Doctors Company and TDC Group, notes that malpractice insurance companies have been paying more in settlements than they are collecting in premiums, forcing them to raise premiums.
The Doctors Company Announces 15-Year Anniversary of the Tribute Plan
The Doctors Company, the nation’s largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer and part of TDC Group, announced today that it has paid over $140 million in Tribute® Plan awards over the past 15 years to its members.