Telemedicine and Physician Liability Issues

Physician assistants: liability and regulatory issues.

The New Jersey Legislature authorized the licensing of Physician Assistants (PAs) in 1991. These mid-level practitioners have been useful as “physician extenders” in both office and hospital settings. In primary care and surgical specialties, PAs can undertake diagnostic evaluations, manage inpatient care and function as a hospitalist, assist in surgery or invasive procedures and can perform so...

Liability issues in pollution control

Understanding the physician liability insurance crisis.

www.aafp.org / fpm ■ F A M I L Y P R A C T I C E M A N A G E M E N T ■ 47 IL LU ST R A TI O N B Y C .M . SC H N EI D ER In certain areas of the country, skyrocketing medical liability insurance premiums are pushing physicians out of practice and denying patients access to needed services. In eight states, premiums increased an average of 30 percent or more last year. Another 12 states saw avera...

Liability implications of physician-directed care coordination.

PURPOSE Various public and private initiatives encourage physicians to coordinate care for patients who have multiple chronic conditions, but physicians may resist doing so for fear of liability. This article assesses the extent of liability risk. METHODS This qualitative study combines legal research with key informant interviews. Relevant legal authorities were identified through literature...

Legal and political issues facing telemedicine.