Professional Liability Coverage for Residents

Abstract

The American Academy of Pediatrics joins with other responsible medical and hospital organizations in urging that the "Essentials of Accredited Residences" be modified and amended to require any institution seeking accreditation of its residency programs (1) to protect resident staff members by providing adequate professional liability coverage (or its equivalence in military/governmental institutions) during the entire training period and continuing thereafter to cover any claims filed for events occurring during the training period, (2) to provide a written description of the details of the program to each individual resident at the time of his or her acceptance into the program, and (3) to provide written documentation to the resident about the institution's policy regarding "moonlighting" (practicing medicine outside the official residency program whether or not for compensation, such as working as a camp physician or day-care consultant) and to include specific inclusion/exclusion clauses regarding such activity.