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News & Knowledge

Risk Management Guide: Physician-Patient Relationship

The core aspect of the physician-patient relationship lies in the legal aspect of the “duty” that the physician owes to the patient once the relationship is established. There are circumstances where a plaintiff attorney may allege that the medical office staff created or established this relationship by providing an appointment or giving treatment advice in anticipation of an appointment therefore careful oversight is recommended as to what is allowed in the medical office process for new patient intake. Generally, it is a common opinion that only the actual hands-on examination by the physician of the patient constitutes the establishment of the physician-patient relationship; however, there can be exceptions. Plaintiff attorneys…

Curi’s risk mitigation resources and guidance are offered for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not medical or legal advice, does not replace independent professional judgment, does not constitute an endorsement of any kind, should not be deemed authoritative, and does not establish a standard of care in clinical settings or in courts of law. If you need legal advice, you should consult your independent/corporate counsel. We have found that using risk mitigation efforts can reduce malpractice risk; however, we do not make any guarantees that following these risk recommendations will prevent a complaint, claim, or suit from occurring, or mitigate the outcome(s) associated with any of them.

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