Reducing malpractice risk through more effective communication.

Abstract

UNLABELLED: This activity is designed for physicians, health plan administrators, and other providers. GOAL: To help physicians, health plan administrators, and other providers learn more about the relationship between provider communication behaviors and subsequent negligence litigation and learn how to reduce malpractice risk through improving communication behaviors. OBJECTIVES: 1. To describe research findings concerning the relationship between provider communication behaviors and subsequent claims of negligence. 2. To describe the major interviewing deficiencies that have been identified as precipitants of malpractice litigation. 3. To describe three functions of effective interviewing. 4. To describe training and learning methods that can improve provider-patient relationships, leading to improved clinical outcomes and decreased malpractice risk.