Using redacted hospital records, news coverage, and court room video, Anatomy of a Lawsuit will present a case study of a patient suicide and a resulting malpractice suit. Using the case as a narrative framework, the presentation will educate attendees about each aspect of a malpractice claim. In addition, it will provide advice from attorneys specializing in malpractice defense, and executives from malpractice insurance companies about how to navigate the process of being sued. Lastly, it will offer advise from physicians who have been sued about what to expect, and how to maintain both personal health and professional enthusiasm during an intense and difficult challenge.

**This content was captured at the 2019 APA Annual Meeting and may reference information from various sources and terminology from previous editions of the DSM.

Course References

• Jena, A.B., et al., Malpractice risk according to physician specialty. N Engl J Med, 2011. 365(7): p. 629-36.
• Bark, P., et al., Impact of litigation on senior clinicians: implications for risk management. Qual Health Care, 1997. 6(1): p. 7-13.

Learning Objectives

• Distinguish the reasons behind adverse outcomes in result of malpractice claims
• Outline the framework and stages of a malpractice case and the psychiatrist's role during a prospective malpractice case
• Describe the things a physician should or should not do during a malpractice case

Target Audience

Psychiatrists, Residents/Fellows

Estimated Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 60 minutes
Begin Date: October 1, 2020
End Date: October 1, 2023

How to Earn Credit

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the completion date and hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

The APA designates this enduring CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

Program Presenters

• Catherine Mier, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Health. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Furqan Nusair, M.D., M.P.H., Forensic Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Swati Shivale, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Health. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Program Planners

• Tristan Gorrindo, M.D., Director of Education, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Katie Putnam, Membership Development Specialist, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Ally Brown, Senior Program Manager, Online Learning, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.

Technical Requirements

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
• Internet Explorer 11+

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Flash, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.

Optimal System Configuration:

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher

Minimum Requirements:

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact learningcenter@psych.org for technical assistance