Jonathan W. Berlin MD, Moderator: Stockholder, Nuance Communications, Inc Radiology Advisory Board, Nuance Communications, Inc

Leonard Berlin MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Graham Billingham MD, Presenter: Officer, Medical Protective Company

1) Understand the frequency and economic impact of radiology litigation. 2) Consider the role of communication of radiologic results in certain types of radiology litigation. 3) Describe common perceptual and cognitive errors in body imaging and their role in potential radiology litigation.

Allegations of medical negligence are not infrequent in radiologic practice. This course will cover the demographics of radiology malpractice from the perspective of a medical director at a major malpractice insurance carrier, with an emphasis on the frequency and economic impact of radiology litigation, and a description of how cases are evaluated by a major malpractice carrier. Additional topics covered by the remaining two lecturers will be the importance of communication between radiologists and other health care providers, emphasizing examples of how communication breakdowns between healthcare providers can occasionally result in allegations of negligence. Finally, the topics of radiologic interpretive errors and their potential role in radiology litigation will be explored, focusing on body imaging.

Berlin, J, Berlin, L, Billingham, G, Medical Malpractice in Radiology: Policy and Practical Perspectives.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14000569.html