Grant Family Medicine Residents Learn about Depositions through Interactive Experience
Medical malpractice depositions probably rank high on the list of things physicians hope to never be involved in. However, statistics suggest physicians will most likely have to face at least one in the course of their careers.
Residents in the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program appreciate being educated and prepared for anything they may face in their careers, including being deposed. Fortunately, another group of individuals in downtown Columbus could also use some help preparing for depositions – students at Capital University Law School.
Sarah Sams, MD, Associate Program Director, Grant Family Medicine Residency, had the idea to create a program to benefit both her residents and the law students. After discussing her idea with Capital, the law school created an interdisciplinary deposition course aimed at providing cross-disciplinary training to medical residents and law students.
“Residents need this experience,” Dr. Sams explained. “The chance of getting deposed at one time or another in their career is super high.”
The law students’ final exam for this course requires them to defend a medical expert’s deposition in a mock medical malpractice case. Third year residents from Grant play the role of both the defendant doctor in the medical malpractice action and the plaintiff’s expert witness. Prior to the exam, the law students and residents meet for a brief preparation session to discuss the deposition process, resident concerns and potential deposition questions.
The Grant Family Medicine residents participate in this course as part of the Practice Management component of their program. They receive instruction on the ways physicians interact with the legal system during a Practice Management Boot Camp and monthly sessions so by the time they participate in this course, they have a full understanding of its importance.
“Invaluable,” is how Lola Oluyitan, MD, PGY3, in the Grant Family Medicine Residency, described her participation in this course. “It is a great experience to actually put yourself in that position,” she said.
The law students appreciate the residents’ participation as well, considering before this program evolved the law students would play the doctor roles. Adam Rhodes, second-year student at Capital University Law School explained it is helpful for the residents to bring their terminology and knowledge of medicine to the process.
“It is nice real-world experience for everyone. It offers something bigger than what we see on paper,” Rhodes said.
Local media was on-hand to view the depositions. To view the NBC4 story, click the video above. To read The Columbus Dispatch article, click on their logo.
