While the professional liability risk varies with the type of internet activity, there are at least the following five recurring risk themes that psychiatrists should not overlook:

  1. Boundary issues
  2. Inadvertent creations of a psychiatrist-patient treatment relationship
  3. Confidentiality and security of patient information
  4. Unlicensed practice of medicine
  5. Meeting the standard of care

Given that technology advances much more quickly than the law, the legal foundation (case law, statutes, and regulations) for the risk management advice related to internet activities is still evolving. In the meantime, the following general overview and non-exhaustive list of risks and risk management advice should serve as a starting point. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice.

Unlike many medical malpractice programs, The Psychiatrists' Program offers portable coverage, thereby helping you to avoid the inconvenience of finding a new insurance program any time you move between states. Best of all, the benefits of The Psychiatrists' Program, including access to psychiatric-specific risk management services, will move with you.
(may vary by state)