(Thursday, 8/2/2018) 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Room 209
Professional liability ('malpractice') insurance is popular for consulting physicists, but relatively few physicists working as full-time employees of a hospital or clinic carry their own coverage. Most believe that coverage is provided by their employer; this may or may not be true, and the coverage may or may not be sufficient for the risks faced by a practicing clinical medical physicist. The speakers will discuss how to assess the employer-provided coverage that is available and determine gaps that may exist for individuals in specific practice settings.
A case study is presented on professional liability coverage at the University of New Mexico and what happens when an error occurs and a medical physicist could be at fault. Though the University of New Mexico Cancer Center is relatively small, its liability position as a government-affiliated health care entity could apply to a significant portion of the AAPM membership, especially those who work for academic institutions and Veterans Administration facilities. Presented here are methods of how this information was obtained, lay-person's tips on how to figure out what happens after an error occurs, and implications of "I am sorry" laws.
Learning Objectives:
1. Determine the amount and type of professional liability insurance coverage extended by an individual's employment
2. Assess existing and potential gaps in coverage due to common circumstances
Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: D Jordan is Chair, and R Shaw is a member, of the AAPM Insurance Subcommittee which provides oversight for professional liability insurance sold to AAPM members through Mercer. AAPM receives royalty income from these policies. Speakers have no other disclosures.
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