Risk management principles for physicians.

The swift pace of medical practice today makes it imperative for physicians to carry a toolbox jam-packed with risk management principles. The toolbox must be overflowing with utensils that allow a complete execution of the physician's fiduciary responsibility to the patient: all-inclusive informed consent, comprehensive documentation, fulfilling the standard of care, the significance of second opinions, transparency, crisis-management skills, and how to discuss an unfortunate result/outcome.