Federal regulators are less suspicious of doctors who prescribe opioids for patients, but barriers to adequate treatment remain.

Once a patient requests medical services—and you agree to supply those services—you might be liable if something goes awry.

Make sure you tell patients about the need for timely follow-up, and put a reminder system in place.

I've decided not to renew credentialing with one of the two hospitals in my town. If one of my patients is admitted to that hospital and the attending physician there calls me for a consult, do I have an obligation (professional or legal) to go? I'd like to just say that I don't go to that hospital, the attending physician should get another specialist for the consult, and I will take over the patient's care when he or she is discharged. Is there anything wrong with that?

How do I deal with a patient who keeps ignoring my advice that he see a urologist? This patient has had an elevated PSA for last two years, and I am sure he has an underlying prostate cancer. What will be my liability if I dismiss him from my practice at this point? Other than documenting his refusal to follow my advice, is there anything I should be doing to protect myself and my practice from liability?

Primary care physicians need to reduce risk when patients go to the emergency department.

How do I handle a patient's demand for a refund for an outcome that was less than perfect?

The issue of prescription drug abuse and its effect on prescribing physicians is once again front and center.

MD-JDs share provocative lessons they learned from looking at medical practice from an attorney's point of view.