Legal implications of clinical supervision of medical students and residents.

When a medical student or resident has been involved in the care of a patient who claims to be injured as a result of that care, the student, resident, clinical faculty members, medical school, and affiliated health care institution may all be potential defendants in a lawsuit filed by the patient. The liability of the faculty member, school, and institution may arise out of the supervisory position they occupy regarding students and residents. In this article, the author examines the legal implications raised by these supervisory functions and explicates potential liabilities associated with such responsibilities.