by Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor All segments of the insurance industry experience cyclical periods where the availability and cost of coverage rise or fall. When availability is plentiful and premium costs shrink, it is referred to as a “soft market,” and when losses cause insurers to tighten their underwriting standards and premiums […]

by Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor Consumer demand for convenience, access and affordability is changing how episodic-care and preventative medicine is delivered in the United States. A novelty 15 years ago, today there are more than 3,000 convenient care clinics in the United States, most located within the nation’s largest big-box retail outlets. […]

by Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor Prescription drug abuse is a public health crisis destroying American families and communities at an alarming rate. According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the number of people who abuse prescription drugs is more than double the number who report using heroin, cocaine […]

Cunningham Group, the nation’s largest independent agency representing medical malpractice insurance products, announced today the launch of Healthcare Matters, a new internet television program that explores the intersection of healthcare practice, the business of medicine and the law. Healthcare Matters can be located at https://www.cunninghamgroupins.com/all-md/healthcare-matters. Hosted by Michael Matray—editor of Medical Liability Monitor, the medical […]

On this blog, I often write about medical errors –different kinds of errors, how physicians should handle errors, how physicians can avoid errors, etc. But, today, I’d like to write about an error I experienced: what happened, how the physician handled it, and my reactions. The error didn’t happen to me, per se, it happened […]

For most physicians, their medical malpractice insurance company doesn’t matter until, well, it does. When a physician faces a claim, it is important to know who is defending him or her and how. The next several months up to years can be spent dealing with one’s insurance company. And, because the inherent nature of being […]

Everyone fantasizes about finding that magical work-life balance, and very few of us find it –especially physicians. But, what about looking at locum tenens work? Many people view locum tenens work only as a second job, often to pay-off medical school debt. But, locum tenens work isn’t just for moonlighters. PhysiciansPractice.com recently had a really […]

What is “good” medical care? And, is it only provided by clinicians? Many health care providers might view “good” care as something related to positive clinical outcomes and measurable health improvements, but how do patients view good medical care? You might be surprised, but many patients have a much larger definition of medical care and […]

The words physicians choose may have more impact than they often realize. In medicine, words are not only used to convey diagnosis, explain treatment, and give objective information, but they are also used to break bad (or sometimes good!) news, give comfort and/or convey life-changing circumstances. I have previously written on this blog about words […]