Failure to Diagnose Lung Cancer
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Course Description
In the United States, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. When lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, surgical resection can greatly improve prognosis. The problem, however, is that most symptoms of lung cancer do not appear until the disease is in a more advanced stage, making a cure improbable. In addition to poor patient outcomes, delays in diagnosing lung cancer are also responsible for large indemnity payments.
Using NORCAL data, national data and case examples, this course examines the common themes in lung cancer litigation and provides systems approaches to promote the timely diagnosis of lung cancer and reduce professional liability exposure.
Who Should Take This Course
- General/Family practice physicians
- Internal medicine physicians
- Radiologists
- General surgeons
- Thoracic surgeons
- Pulmonologists
- Oncologists
Learning Objectives
To reduce the overall morbidity associated with lung cancer, prioritize the goal of smoking cessation and document your efforts in patient medical records.
In the absence of national screening guidelines, implement a diagnostic protocol for lung disease to reach a systematic diagnosis in high-risk patients.
To reduce the number of failure-to-diagnose claims made against physicians, evaluate and resolve any vulnerabilities in your follow-up systems that may give rise to allegations of malpractice.
Faculty
John Luce, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine and Anesthesia
University of California, San Francisco
Sumana Reddy, MD, FAAFP
Board Certified in Family Medicine
Salinas, California
Paul Stuart Schulman, MD, FACR
Associate Clinical Professor of Radiology
University of California, San Diego
Accreditation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Original release date: January 2005
Reviewed January 2008 and credit extended for one (1) year.
Expiration date: January 2009
