SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Paola FA. South. Med. J. 2003; 96(7): 647-651.

Affiliation

Division of Medical Ethics and Humanities, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612-4799, USA. fpaola@hsc.usf.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Southern Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12940312

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physicians who offer firearms counseling may increase their legal liability, depending on the attitudes of their medical malpractice insurance carriers. METHODS: A survey was mailed to the 100 largest medical malpractice insurers. Requested data included their experience with claims involving allegations of negligent firearm counseling by physicians, their opinion regarding whether firearm counseling by physicians would be covered under their medical malpractice policies, and their prediction of how their insurance group or company would handle such claims. RESULTS: Fourteen surveys were returned. No respondents reported having dealt with a case involving an allegation of negligent firearm counseling by a physician. Eight respondents (57%) thought that such counseling would not be covered under their medical malpractice policy, whereas six respondents (43%) said that it would. CONCLUSION: A majority of responding insurers thought that physician firearm counseling would not be covered under their medical malpractice policies. Physicians wishing to counsel their patients about the risks and benefits of owning and using firearms are advised to seek assurance of medical malpractice insurance coverage from their insurers or the annexation of a rider to their current policies.

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print