Medicolegal Issues

Dear patients: Letters psychiatrists should and should not write

Author:: Renée Sorrentino, MD, DFAPA; Ren Belcher, MD; Rachel L. MacLean, MD; Susan Hatters Friedman, MD, DFAPA

How to determine if writing the letter your patient asked you for is ethical and appropriate.

Pearls

How to avoid abandonment claims when terminating care

Author:: Kaustubh G. Joshi, MD

Psychiatric clinicians may unilaterally decide to end a treatment relationship with a patient when the relationship is no longer therapeutic, such...

Pearls

Medical record documentation: What to do, and what to avoid

Author:: Kaustubh G. Joshi, MD

Medical record documentation serves as a reminder of previous discussions with patients and what happened during their visits, a reimbursement...

Cases That Test Your Skills

Hold or not to hold: Navigating involuntary commitment

Author:: Jason A. Barrett, MD

In the ED, Mr. H is depressed and suicidal, but does not agree to voluntary hospitalization. What elements will factor into whether civil...

Evidence-Based Reviews

‘Med check’ appointments: How to minimize your malpractice risk

Author:: Ashley H. Vandercar, MD, JD; Monika Pietrzak, MD, JD; Phillip J. Resnick, MD

The safety and efficacy of these appointments depend on how they are set up.

Evidence-Based Reviews

Paraphilic disorders and sexual criminality

Author:: Chandler Hicks, DO, MS; Sara West, MD

What to consider when caring for a patient with sexually deviant thoughts or behaviors.

Pearls

How to ‘cybersecure’ your practice

Author:: Kaustubh G. Joshi, MD

The health care sector is not immune from cybersecurity attacks (malicious attempts to access or damage a computer or network system).

Evidence-Based Reviews

Honor thy parents? Understanding parricide and associated spree killings

Author:: Susan Hatters Friedman, MD; Ryan C.W. Hall, MD; Sara G. West, MD

Knowing which factors are common among perpetrators could assist in prevention.

Evidence-Based Reviews

Service animals and emotional support animals: Should you write that letter?

Author:: Kaustubh G. Joshi, MD

Understand the ramifications before advocating for patients to have such animals

For centuries, animals, especially dogs, have assisted...

Evidence-Based Reviews

Confidentiality and privilege: What you don’t know can hurt you

Author:: Jacqueline S. Landess, MD, JD; Kathleen L. Kruse, MD; Shiri Raphaely, MD; Susan Hatters Friedman, MD

Understand the exception in divorce and child custody cases and inform patients accordingly.

Evidence-Based Reviews

Avoiding malpractice while treating depression in pregnant women

Author:: Susan Hatters Friedman, MD; Ryan C.W. Hall, MD

Consider the risks of untreated mental illness as well as the risks of antidepressant exposure.

Medicolegal Issues