Sometimes the Best Prescription is Knowledge

Much is asked of you and your staff regarding efforts to reduce adverse medical events. We at Princeton appreciate your efforts but recognize that the patient also has a role and responsibility in their care. Yet fairly or unfairly, based upon your enhanced knowledge and understanding of the importance of necessary treatment or tests, the courts have historically assigned the majority of the responsibility for follow-up, communication and compliance to the physician. Despite this reality, the patient can be a very important safety net against many of the bad medical outcomes we have seen when they share in that understanding.

Communication breakdowns are implicated in the majority of adverse outcomes and resultant litigation. According to a recent survey of physicians, among patient behaviors those physicians find the most troublesome are (1) not following the prescribed treatment course and (2) reluctance to discuss all of their symptoms. 

We now provide you an opportunity to improve upon both of these less-than-satisfactory behaviors by overtly announcing to the patient that there should be no doubt that you want them to speak up about all of their symptoms and encourage their questions in order to enhance understanding, compliance, and ultimately, outcomes. The Princeton Insurance Risk Services Department offers you materials (poster and handout) that will help you demonstrate to your patients your commitment to better communication and will encourage their participation in their own care.

We are not suggesting you do more. The information addressed in these materials is the same information you largely seek in a standard patient visit. The materials are designed to support and enhance the experience and ensure a consistent approach that can actually reduce the time spent with patients.

A postcard will be mailed to all our insured physicians with instructions on how to obtain these materials. If you do not receive one, please contact us at 1.888.Rx4RISK.