'Med Check' Appointments: How to Minimize Your Malpractice Risk

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

Ashley H. VanDercar, MD, JD; Monika Pietrzak, MD, JD; Phillip J. Resnick, MD

Curr Psychiatr. 2022;21(8):27-30.

Abstract and Introduction

Introduction

Medical malpractice claims can arise in any type of health care setting. The purpose of this article is to discuss the risk of medical malpractice suits in the context of brief "med checks," which are 15- to 20-minute follow-up appointments for psychiatric outpatient medication management. Similar issues arise in brief new patient and transfer visits.

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Table. Relevant considerations when assessing a med check appointment structure
Factor	What to consider
Patient population	The prevalence of serious mental illnesses and dual diagnoses
Clinical support services	The availability and quality of pre- and postvisit clerical, nursing, and case manager support
Contingency plans	The ability to use no-show slots to address unexpected patient care issues, and the availability of other clinicians and staff to provide support in case of an emergency